Served with Andy Roddick James Blake on Miami Open Chaos, Scheduling Drama & the Fonseca Phenomenon | Q&Andy
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Mar 19, 2026 James Blake, former World No. 4 and current Miami Open Tournament Director, gives a candid look at running a major tennis event. He talks luxury suites turned offices and wild player requests. He breaks down rain-delay scheduling chaos and the intense “Fonseca phenomenon” that has security and fans buzzing.
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Fonseca Creates Stadium Demand Independent Of Resume
- Joao Fonseca is a unique fan phenomenon in Miami that forces scheduling and security decisions beyond pure tennis merit.
- James Blake says Fonseca drew security warnings and stadium-level demand unlike Federer, Nadal or other big names during last year’s Miami Open.
Scheduling Is A Multi-Party Puzzle During Rain
- Rain and compressed schedules force the tournament director to balance tour priorities, media flow, and player rest simultaneously.
- Blake describes a master schedule made months earlier that must be reworked with ATP, WTA and world feed constraints during rain delays.
Schedule Rework For Irina Sabalenka After Tragedy
- Unexpected crises change tournament plans, like allowing Irina Sabalenka to play after a personal tragedy.
- Blake recalls rearranging the schedule in an unprecedented way so Sabalenka could continue competing during the Miami Open.