The Tennis Tourist: Sony Ericsson Open

The lowdown Celebrating its 26th year, the Sony Ericsson Open is nearly upon us. Starting on March 22 and finishing on April 4, the prestigious tournament is a combined ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event with pretty much every top name in the world heading to Miami for the ever-popular 'fifth Grand Slam'.

Prize money An eye-watering $9million. Wowza.

The venue Located at the Crandon Park tennis centre - which boasts a 13,300-seat stadium as its centrepiece - the facility has been the home of the Sony Ericsson Open since 1987. Crandon Park is actually the third home of the Sony Ericsson Open, having started in Delray in 1985, moved to Boca Raton in 1986, before permanently settling in Miami in 1987. The tennis centre is also home to the United States Tennis Association’s Player Development Program.

The players Featuring the world's best 79 men and 76 women and with 35 different countries represented in the 2010 tournament, the Sony Ericsson Open is a global tennis masterpiece. Roger Federer returns to Key Biscayne seeking a third title, while fellow Australian Open champion Serena Williams - the defeated finalist in 2009 - will miss out on the chance for a record-setting sixth title at Crandon Park due to injury. Former world No.1s Dinara Safina and Maria Sharapova are also ruled out with injury. Always at home in Miami - and with a US base there - Andy Murray returns intent on defending the title he won in 2009 with a straight sets victory over Novak Djokovic.

The host city Known as the Magic City, Miami is located in Southeast Florida, between Florida Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. Home to the rich and beautiful, and the 25th tallest skyline in the world, the city has grown tremendously into a hub of activity, offering a high quality of life. 

Miami has 13 different neighbourhoods that contain several historical locations and landmarks. Miami South Beach boasts a trendy strip of nightclubs, sidewalk cafe’s, places to shop and beautiful beaches. The Miami SkyLift - located in downtown Miamis Bayfront Park - is also a hotspot, and involves being transported 500 feet into the air in a helium balloon suspended above a park. A truly eclectic city.

Courts The Sony Ericsson Open uses 12 courts in competition, with a further six practice courts on site. Home to four European red clay and four American green clay courts, Crandon Park also boasts two grass courts.

Tickets Daily tickets can easily be acquired from the official website, and ticket packages and vacation packages are also available. Qualifying round prices are cheap as chips, while juniors (aged 14-and-under) can get into all rounds at subsidised pricing.

Weather Typical of the subtropical climate enjoyed throughout Florida, the Miami weather is a veritable paradise for winter sun seekers. The Florida climate is sunny all year round and general opinion suggests that the spring is the best time to visit when temperatures and humidity remain comfortable for sport (and perhaps sunbathing). Why wait? Get on out there!

Food Miami cuisine is renownedly unique, mainly due to the diversity of its people, and offers a blend of flavours including Latin, Caribbean and US (known as Floribean). Miami also offers outstanding restaurants of every kind, ranging from Italian to Thai.

Getting there It's never too late to jump on a plane for some high quality live tennis. Check out the official website for more details.