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T E N N I S |
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The Ericsson Open 2001, played in sunny key Boscayne, Florida
every March - originally known as the Lipton since 1985, is now universally regarded in the tennis fraternity as the most important event after the Grand Slams (Australian, French, Wimbledon and US Open). Always considered by the tennis elite as an essential part of the circuit, the vast majority of the world's top 100 players have been including the Ericsson as part of their itineraries, and this year is no exception. The beautiful setting (Key Biscayne's Crandon Park Tennis Center was voted the best in tennis by Tennis Magazine in '97) and relaxed atmosphere make the Ericsson a unique and very exciting event.
MORE ABSOLUTELY FLORIDA
When you walk into the Crandon Park Tennis Center, you get the feeling of entering into a little village, passing courtesy tents and food concessions as you make your way to the stadium. The place is abuzz with the wheeler-dealers and power brokers of the international tennis circuit, this being a marquee event. The weather is usually perfect in March, and the balmy breezes blowing off Biscayne Bay help cool the effects of the sun. There are day and night sessions on each day of the tournament, excepting, of course, the finals.
On the men's side, veterins Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, Russian sensation Marat Safin, World #2 Gustavo Kuerten, rising superstar Roger Federer, Aussie teen phenom Lleyton Hewitt are all well within in the top ten computer rankings, and expected to attend. And this may be your last chance to catch Patrick Rafter compete in Florida.
The women's draw is just as scintillating: resurgant champ Jennifer Capriati, teen heart-throb Anna Kournikova, World #1 Martina Hingis, crowd-pleaser Monica Seles, the ever-present Williams sisters and rising star Elena Dementieva are among the cream of the crop we can expect to see.
Click to open a larger
map of Key Biscayne.
These players and many more will be competing for a total of $6.12 million in prize money. Tickets went on sale in January, and the finals are nearly sold out, but tickets for the always-thrilling quarter and semi-final matches are readily available. Call 305/442-3367 or visit their website for more information.