Experienced by Kimatni Rawlins and Dentry Mortimer
Welcome to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida for the 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú and co-sponsored by Cadillac. From Sinner, Alcaraz, and Gauf to Sabalenka, Shelton, and Tiafoe (aka Big Foe), all of your favorite players participated in the prestigious tournament. It’s where on-court tennis performance intersected with the defining and international culture of the Sunshine State.
The Miami Open is the most esteemed tournament outside the Grand Slams due to its alignment with the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 series, which means it attracts nearly all of the world’s top tennis players and offers significant ranking points and prize money. Of course, the more points a player accumulates, the higher their standing becomes in the global tennis pyramid. Thus, I was honored to attend as a media guest with my tennis proteges from Coppin State University while enjoying impressive match play.
As an automotive journalist, I am always fascinated by how the automotive world commingles with major sports and entertainment categories. Cadillac is now in its 6th year of partnership with the Miami Open, opening newfangled avenues for both corporate entities. On-site at the Hard Rock, tennis fans witnessed an array of Cadillac’s luxury roster on display, including the majestic Escalade and all-electric Escalade IQ, the Lyrq battery electric mid-size luxury crossover, and the road running CT5-V Blackwing super sedan.
Inside the Cadillac pavilion, attendees tested their performative race skills on Formula 1 simulators in preparation for the Miami Grand Prix in May, for which Cadillac is a featured team. Cadillac also hosted hospitality and Escalade transportation for VIPs. A few other important sponsors of the Miami Open are Disney Cruise Lines, Stella Artois, Pirelli, PIF, Betway, American Social, and Ciroc Athletic Club.
Cadillac brand ambassador Big Foe put on a show for his sponsor and audiences this week as he won a pivotal 13-11 tie breaker to outlast the Miami Open’s defending champion, Jakub Mensik! The unique and glamorous atmosphere throughout the grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium never disappointed and continued to offer fun, excitement, and shopping. The theme flowed succinctly with Miami culture as the tournament blended seamlessly with the South Floridian lifestyle through numerous activities centered on a common interest: tennis. The luxury playground was replete with an eclectic mix of cuisine, including Miami Slice, and shopping at Lacoste, Wilson Shop, and Oliver Peoples where I picked out a pair of specialized Roger Federer Aviators for the occasion.
During our attendance, we caught a few matches, played ping pong and padel ball, ate like kings and queens, raced Cadillacs (gaming), rode in the Piper-Heidsieck SkyView to experience the Miami Open from above, purchased tennis rackets to show off to teammates back home, watched the Hora Loca dancers and performers, and participated in the Publix sample giveaways. The adult playground was full of youthful activities that kept us entertained throughout the first weekend of the tournament.
More importantly, I was placed in a 2026 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum to cruise through the Wynwood Art District, Brickell, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and the Design District. Cadillac equally reflects on Miami due to the vibrant city’s appetite for style and extravagance. Premium experiences are a tenet of the American automaker with a focus on electrified mobility. My Deep Sea Metallic Escalade was blessed with 22″ 6-spoke alloy wheels in a low-gloss finish, a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system with Dolby Atmos, unadulterated power from the 6.2-liter V8 engine, and a technological infotainment experience featuring a full-color 55″ diagonal HD curved front display. The large SUV also put on a show at The W Hotel’s valet whenever we were ready to head out. The intersection of sports and luxury vehicles is always a fun narrative.
The Miami Open blends seamlessly with Miami culture through engaging activities for natives and visitors alike, offering an authentic and diverse sporting experience. Correspondingly, Cadillac represents sophistication and innovation while mirroring the Miami Open’s enthusiastic ambiance. In all, it was an astounding weekend!
