By Mario Sarmento
Think you know all there is to know about the Sony Open Tennis? Think again. In its quarter century of existence, the Sony Open has seen and done more than most major tournaments can dream of. Here are some fun facts you may not have known about the Sony Open.
Outside of the Grand Slams, The Sony Open was the first tournament on tour to offer equal prize money for men and women.
John McEnroe only played singles at the event once, in 1992, when he reached the fourth round. He retired at the end of that year.
Sony Open Tennis was the first tournament in the United States to use instant replay to challenge line calls in 2006.
The first match wasn’t played at Crandon Park until 1987. Previously, the event took place at Boca West and, in the first year of the tournament in 1985, Laver’s International Tennis Resort in Delray Beach. They built permanent stadium on the premises in 1994.
Andre Agassi holds the record for most consecutive match wins amongst the men with 20, while his wife, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams hold the women’s record with 22 straight wins. Sony Open Tennis was the first tournament in the United States to use instant replay to challenge line calls in 2006.
Only two unseeded players have ever won the title: Tim Mayotte in the very first year in 1985, and Kim Clijsters in 2005.
Novak Djokovic is the youngest man to win the title, winning in 2007 at 19 years and 316 days; Andre Agassi is the oldest, winning at 32 years and 335 days in 2003.
The youngest woman to win the event was Monica Seles (in 1990, at age 16 years, 111 days). Last year, Serena Williams became the oldest winner at 31 years, 185 days.
Jana Novotna has been a part of the most doubles-winning teams at 7.
