Players put in lots of off-court time in Miami
This entry was posted on April 1, 2008 1:58 PM and is filed under In the News.
By Liza Horan
Match competition is center-stage at the
Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, of course, but there's a lot of competition for spectator attentions inside and outside Crandon Park. From fashion shows and autograph signings to off-site pro appearances at parties and hospitals, the tournament really becomes part of the Miami scene.
With all the entertainment value the tournament delivers, it's no wonder they've already broken previous attendance records. Yesterday's day session sold out with 15,154 attendees, marking the eighth session sell-out this year, and the tournament doesn't end 'til Sunday.
Great weather may have something to do with it, as there's been only two rain delays and no rain-outs, but the festival-like atmosphere is a strong pull in itself.
While the on-court matches are the focus, the buzz around the extra-curriculars gives the players, the tournament and the sport fantastic visibility to locals. TV coverage by CBS, Fox Sports Network and Tennis Channel are delivering exposure to the masses.
The pro tours, players and tournament organizers are very savvy about leveraging star power to gain exposure. Not only does it boost media coverage, promotes goodwill, and increases the cache of the players and the sports. Here are key highlights from the
Sony Ericsson Open:
- James Blake hit two home runs to left field when he and Sam Querrey visited the Florida Marlins to take swings of a different kind.
- Celebrities spotted courtside include actor Owen Wilson, rapper Common, racer Christian Fittipaldi, and musician Boyd Tinsley.
- David Nalbandian and IndyCar series champ Helio Castroneves competed in each other's sports as the two traded backhands then took speedy laps; Nalbandian reportedly said a quick prayer before zooming to 165 mph.
- Habitat for Humanity ambassador Nadia Petrova and Ivan Ljubicic helped paint a house in the Little Haiti district of Miami.
- Jill Craybas and Juan Ignacio Chela helped staff and volunteers from the Sony Ericsson Open and Feed the Children load more than $1.3 million worth of food for the needy on to delivery trucks.
