Why the Miami Masters Needs to Rebuild or Relocate

While Roger Federer brings his star to the Miami Masters and Novak Djokovic continues his onslaught of Masters 1000 titles, this once-proud tournament could be packing its bags and slipping away into the night. What’s happened to Miami, and could the tournament really follow through with rumors of divorce?

As 2015 closed, the Miami New Times reported that the Miami Masters had lost a court order, meaning it would be unable to expand with badly needed practice courts and more room to accommodate over 300,000 visitors to its event. It mentioned the possibility that the tournament could move to Orlando, Dubai, China or South America.

It’s a blow to a tournament that used to set the standard for non-majors, but complacency and age have crept in while the rest of the world has expanded its efforts to satisfy first-class tennis appetites.

In 2014, Christopher Clarey for the New York Times warned that Miami was no longer perceived as being the “5th Slam,” but rather had fallen toward the back of the line:

"That (inability to upgrade) leaves the event—many tents and often-temporary bleachers—looking much like an annual county fair in a world of increasingly upscale tennis theme parks that stretch from Shanghai to the California desert to the four Grand Slam venues."

Tennis in the 21st century is merely reflecting the accelerated pace of the world. What worked in the past is no longer acceptable unless it runs faster than its competition. Typewriters, newspapers and Internet Explorer have been displaced by sleeker iPhones, online news and Google Chrome.

It’s no longer acceptable for athletes or patrons to walk into an arena that looks like something out of the 1980s. This is not the era when tough Jimmy Connors went to an asphalt practice court to hit off a chipped wall before sitting in a locker room with no air conditioning.

Serena’s plea

While some stars have not seemed too broken up about missing the Miami Masters in recent years, it’s nevertheless important to superstar Serena Williams.

She wrote a letter that appeared a few days ago in the New York Times detailing her early years and relationship with this venue, and pointing out that the tournament advocated for equal pay and more diversity.

But it’s also clear that Miami will only survive if it adapts and evolves.

Out in the western U.S., Larry Ellison’s deep pockets and love for tennis have helped Indian Wells become a prestigious and favorite place for players and fans. Should Miami follow suit?

J Pat Carter/Associated Press

How about Miami developing its own identity? Ed McGrogan for ESPN.com made a strong case two years ago for Miami to adopt the green clay (Har-Tru) surface that is used in Charleston’s Family Circle Cup. It’s the perfect bridge to ending the hard-court season as Europe’s red clay awaits.

The surface is faster and more unique than Europe’s clay, something that could bring in more talent from South America and their penchant for clay courts. In short, Miami could reinvent itself with an exciting attraction.

So there will be critical maneuvers ahead if Miami is to remain a stalwart and respected part of the second-level tournament schedule. Otherwise, relocation will be explored.

It’s not hard to imagine Miami disappearing after seeing many of the traditional small tournaments in the U.S. all but disappear. Some like Memphis, Washington D.C., Atlanta and New Haven are hanging on, but the stars rarely show up, certainly not for full draws and global viewers.

Will Miami thrive after Serena, Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic have hung up their rackets for good? We should know within a few years.