What to know about the Miami Open: seating options, parking, food

Why it matters: This year's tournament is stacked with star players from around the world, from Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz to Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.

Yes, and: The tournament's off-the-court offerings feature dozens of local restaurants and bars, including local favorites such as Omakai, Kiki on the River, and Miami Slice.

Here's how to Open like a pro:

Tickets: Fans who plan to visit the Open for a single day have three basic options: the grounds pass, the stadium pass or the Grandstand pass. Prices vary.

• The grounds pass gives you all-day access to the Hard Rock Stadium campus and first-come-first-served seating at the numerous outer courts and the Grandstand — but you can't attend matches at the Stadium Court.
• The stadium pass gives you the same access to the campus and outer courts for either the morning or evening session, and then a reserved stadium seat for two to three matches.
• The Grandstand pass offers reserved seating for the Open's second-largest court and all-day campus access.

Pro tip: Entry and parking is free this Sunday for the opening day women's qualifiers.

Parking: Pre-paid parking is $25. Day-of parking is $40 (or $35 with a Sunpass).

• Or get dropped off by a friend or Uber so you can try the Miami Open's signature cocktail, the Ace Paloma.

💭 Martin's thought bubble: I like the intimacy of the outer courts, but a stadium seat is great if you don't want to hang around all day.

• Outer court matches are usually more intense than stadium matches, because the fans are packed in tighter.
• There's a seating area outside the stadium where you can watch the matches on a big screen while you grab a bite.

Dress code: It's Miami, so prepare for intense heat — especially during the day. The courts are open air, so wear a hat.

• Clear bags are allowed, as are small clutch bags or purses no more than 6.5 inches long . Refer to the stadium bag policy.

The rules: Tennis is all about manners — until a player smashes a racket or throws a water bottle at the referee's chair.

• Be silent — and still — when the ball is in play.
• Cheer after your preferred player earns a well-deserved point (i.e., not via their opponent's foot fault or net violation).
• Don't boo the opponent.
• You don't have to stay the whole match, but you can't leave until a changeover, the 90-second sit-down players get after odd-numbered games in a set.

Fine print: The complete rules of the sport are a little complex, but each match is made up of games and sets.

• The games are first to four points (you must win by two) but tennis counts by Love (zero), 15, 30, 40 and Game.
• Sets are played to six games, win by two, unless a tiebreaker is needed.
• In the Miami Open, the best of three sets wins the match.

Other things to do: You can ride the Sky View gondola for $10 per adult and $5 per kid. It fits six.

• Check out the Publix Padel Cup (March 27-30) and Miami Open Wheelchair Tennis Invitational (March 26-28) at the Hard Rock campus.