Tennis courts preparing for the Miami Open 2020 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, United States on February 29, 2020. Photo: YES Market Media/Shutterstock.com
The Miami Open is still happening despite the coronavirus epidemic. The two-week tournament is expected to attract thousands of spectators. The event features the top men’s and women’s players in the world. The Miami Open was held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens last year, attracting field players from over 40 countries, international fans and media.
The Ultra Music Festival and Calle Ocho were also cancelled due to the coronavirus scare that has been dominating headlines since the outbreak occurred in December 2019. The South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas is also cancelled, as well as The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California after there was a confirmed case of coronavirus in the Coachella Valley.
Decisions on how to bring in a large audience have been a concern of the event organizers while trying to deal with the issue of public safety that is the coronavirus epidemic. After moving the event from Key Biscayne to Hard Rock Stadium last year, the tournament shattered attendance records with 388,734 total spectators. The event set 15 individual session attendance records during the two weeks, highlighted by 32,831 people on March 23 of last year.
The Miami Open is headlined by stars like Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The tournament is a marquee event; 75 of the top 76 ranked men and each of the top 74 ranked women enter to compete. Many headliners expressed their remorse for not being able to attend different tennis tournaments due to health and safety concerns, but all agreed those concerns are merited.
“So sad to hear the news about the postponing of @BNPPARIASOPEN,” American tennis star Coco Gauff tweeted. Guaff was set to play in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. “I was so excited to make my debut in IW, but safety is always the no. 1 priority. Stay safe.”
Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
