Elias Ymer, Kyle Edmund and Hyeon Chung
By Christopher Menendez
Wynwood Arts District- Tennis is to art as a racquet is to a paint brush. A tennis court is to a canvas as a tennis ball is to a color palette.
At first glance, tennis and art are unrelated disciplines. Tennis players, much like artists, need passion, commitment, and skill to make it big in today’s competitive world. Three “Next Generation” ATP players hit the streets of the Wynwood Arts district, the hub for Miami’s up and coming artistic talent. Let’s see how these #NextGen’s enjoyed the art district’s energy and talent.
What is a Next Generation Player?
This month the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) launched it’s “Next Generation” campaign, which looks at the new generation of talent in the top 200 rankings. Players Kyle Edmund, Hyeon Chung, and Elias Ymer explored Miami’s famous Wynwood Walls and the districts surrounding murals for some last minute inspiration before they hit the courts in Key Biscayne. Why Wynwood? Because the artists working in this district possess a parallel drive to succeed as these #NextGen players
Get into Wynwood
Just six years ago The Wynwood Walls was a blank canvas created for street artists from all over the world. Since then, the Wynwood Walls program has seen over 80 artists from over 15 countries. Elias said “It’s been my childhood dream to play tennis professionally. Traveling with the ATP is amazing, especially when I get to visit my favorite city, Miami.” When asked if he’s been able to enjoy Miami Elias said: “It’s my third time in the city and I always try to get fun stuff in. I love appreciating art.” His favorite piece was Maya Hayuk’s symmetrical colorful mural.
#NextGen Kyle Edmund, standing in front of the iconic Wynwood building, stated he is “ready for a new challenge”. If he wins his first round match against Vesely he will play the first ranked Djokovic. Hyeon scaled a giant boulder in front of his favorite mural by Ron English, maybe a warm up before his practice scheduled later this afternoon!
In town for the Miami Open? Make sure to set aside some time to visit the Wynwood Arts District to appreciate the work of skilled artists from all around the world.
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2016 Miami Open will be played March 21-April 3 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 95,000 employees and operations in 20 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
