Serena Williams Calls For Miami Open To Stay In Place After Legal Loss
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Tennis star Serena Williams penned an editorial in the New York Times expressing hope for the Miami Open to remain on Key Biscayne.
Williams – who is playing at the open this week – explained why tennis needs the tournament.
Her article recalls her days as child when her dad would take her and her sister, Venus, to Crandon Park to watch the greats compete.
"Coming here when I was a kid," she said, "brings memories that I will never forget."
Her story comes after the owners of the Miami Open lost a final legal appeal over possible renovations to the site, which is Miami-Dade Public Park.
Following the loss, one of the Miami Open attorney's insinuated that organizers may look into moving the tournament.
Williams reacted, saying, "It would be really sad, but it's here for another couple of years at least. I love it here and I've done well here in Miami."
While Williams' words may be heart-felt, it is also important to remember that she is represented by the same agency that owns the Miami Open.
The tournament's contract doesn't expire until 2023.
CBS4 called the Miami Open organizers for a response.
They stopped short of calling a move premature – issuing a statement that read, in part:
"The Miami Open has always been the place where players continue to come back year after year and enjoy the diverse, energetic and international crowd like nowhere else in the world." – Adam Barrett, Miami Open Tournament Director
Attendees call this tournament unique.
"Seeing how people play, see all those players, that's something that motivates kids," a fan said.
CBS4 happened to run into the former president of the Caribbean Tennis Association in town from Puerto Rico for the tournament.
He said what makes the Miami Open different is that it has set many standards for tennis events around the world and a move would be a shame.