KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Half an hour after Sloane Stephens won her hometown tournament, she lingered on the confetti-covered court, posing for photos and signing autographs as if reluctant to leave Key Biscayne.
The Miami Open is moving, and Stephens became the picturesque island’s final women’s champion on Saturday by beating Jelena Ostapenko, 7-6 (5), 6-1.
Stephens was born in South Florida, practiced on Key Biscayne as a junior and lives in nearby Fort Lauderdale. She was eager to win the tournament before its switch next year to the Miami Dolphins’ stadium in Miami Gardens.
Fans jeered during the trophy ceremony when the tournament director, James Blake, mentioned the relocation.