Miami Open: Alexander Zverev Refuses to Back Down on His Criticism of Hard Rock Stadium as Nostalgia Clouds Judgement

Alexander Zverev is on a great run in the 2024 Miami Open. The German player found himself in the semifinal of the tournament after shutting down each player on his path without losing a set. Zverev has had a ball of a time in Vice City but is struggling to enjoy the championship vibes as he usually did in the past, he is “trying to build them here.”

The German player has never won the Miami Open but played in one final in 2018. The venue was different back in 2018, and Zverev said that his previous match in that venue was special and had a better vibe than the current one.  The 26-year-old German reached the semifinal of the championship for the second time in his career but felt that the crowd was more energetic in the previous venue.

Zverev said, “Here obviously, you know, the Hard Rock Stadium is one of the biggest stadiums in the world. Not for tennis but generally speaking. A very new stadium, very modern. Obviously, we have a lot more space here.” He further added “But I loved Key Biscayne. I really did. I thought the atmosphere there was very special and very loud, very energetic. So obviously hopefully it’s going to be good memories for me in both sites. You know, trying to build them here still.”

Crandon Park played host for close to 32 years up to 2018. The tournament held at the venue was once heralded as the 5th slam, but it needed an upgrade due to over-usage. However, due to environmental concerns and legal complications, it had to be moved to the present location.

In 2018, a member of the family who owned major parts of Key Biscayne told the Guardian, “We opposed (upgrading the site) because of commercialization of a privately dedicated public park which was given for public park purposes only… The agreement was that only one permanent stadium would be built.”

Read More: Miami Open: Serena Williams Gives a Raucous Cheer to Best Friend Grigor Dimitrov’s Edgy Tennis Display Against Alexander Zverev

The Hard Rock Stadium has seen Zverev shut down some of the best players ATP had to offer. He beat anyone who dared to step up to him and has found himself in the semifinal after defeating Fábián Marozsán. In an interview with Tennis Channel earlier, the German star expressed his preference to play at Key Biscayne over the present stadium. He said, “I loved playing at Key Biscayne, I loved being there. I had some good success and was close to winning a title there.”

Zverev also mentioned that he felt different playing here, he said, “Here I am still trying to find my rhythm because there is extreme difference from the way Centre Court plays compared to the other courts, simply because we play inside a massive stadium and it’s kind of covered… The surface is also also a bit different to outside… So, I hope I can make a deep run here…” Zverev’s performance has been fantastic this season, but it is abundantly clear that he misses playing in Key Biscayne Stadium.

“Party mood all the time“: Alexander Zverev on the previous stadium

Zverev played the 2018 Miami Open final against John Isner, where he found himself on the losing end. It was the last match that was played in the Key Biscayne Stadium, which is a special venue for the players. Now, he looks back at the venue fondly.

“But it was the last match that was ever played at that venue, so that was special, in a way, as well, I thought. But as you said, very different. There was really a South American vibe going on. Kind of a party mood all the time…The atmosphere was incredible.”

The German player will always remember the time he spent in the venue. However, he hopes that Hard Rock will have the same energy as he is set to play against Grigor Dimitrov. Will his dreams come true?

Read More – Miami Open 2024: Alexander Zverev vs Fabian Marozsan; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction