Roger Federer: Why playing at the Miami Open this week is sad
ROGER FEDERER admits playing the Miami Open at Crandon Park for the final time this week will be sad.
Roger Federer reveals he feels nostalgic over Miami Open
The ATP Masters 1000 event will move to a new tennis centre at Hard Rock Stadium, which is usually host to NFL side Miami Dolphins.
The decision to move from the complex at Crandon Park was made after organisers were unable to update the venue in Key Biscayne, which the tournament has been played at since 1987.
Last year, Federer won his third Miami Open title when he beat Rafael Nadal in the final.
In his last outing in Indian Wells, Federer was beaten by Juan Martin Del Potro in the final.
Roger Federer won in Miami last year
It’s sad to see the tournament go and we hope that it is going to be as good, if not maybe even better at the Hard Rock arena
And on Saturday, he begins his campaign against young Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
But asked if being in Miami this week will have a nostalgic feel, Federer opened up about his time playing in the ‘Sunshine State’.
He told the ATP World Tour: “Yeah a little bit. The more I get asked, the more I think about it and talk about it.
Roger Federer is the top seed in Miami this year
“I go back 20 years, it’s been here for 32 and I’ve been here basically for 19 years as a professional and 20 if I include the juniors here in 1998.
“I’ve been coming to Miami since 1994, 1995 so the city is a big tennis city for me and my career.
“It’s sad to see the tournament go and we hope that it is going to be as good, if not maybe even better at the Hard Rock arena.”