The Sony Open has kickstarted in Key Biscayne, Florida—commonly known as Miami to mainlanders—and already it is an eventful tour stop for both ATP and WTA players on the heels of the Indian Wells style bonanza. Heralded DJ Calvin Harris headed up the aural proceedings, blasting beat-laden hits for all. Then there were the player appearances, with many stepping up their personalities by way of attire choices in light of the MIA setting. Here, a rundown of the best and worst dressed at the player party:
HITS
1. Novak Djokovic, accompanied by Jelena Ristic: I bemoaned the world No. 1's conservative, professorial sense in Indian Wells, but here he showed up in a blazer with a lively print and fun lace-up kicks. His girlfriend was on his arm in a fun black-and-yet-colorful dress. This is how Serbia does Miami, and it was perfect. (Hat tip to the-slice.com)
2. Agnieszka Radwanska's outfit: It's a flirty little black dress, perfect for the occasion and the city.
3. Caroline Wozniacki: Her look is chic and trim but (as the Djoker was in California a week ago) conservative. In so many words, it's exactly how she plays. But this frock is more fun than uptight, and that effervescent smile does shine by night.
4. Victoria Azarenka: Funky style, yes, and it wouldn't work on anyone else. But Vika has never played by anyone's terms, on or off the court. (You can base this on her on-court demeanor, with the match on the whole and with ballkids, and on her off-court dalliance with pop tart Redfoo.) Her dress is in sartorial purgatory, perhaps, but remove the long, sheer piece, and that's a white-and-black number for going out in Miami.
5. Not shockingly, Maria Sharapova appears here: Purple! It's your loyal Spin keeper's favorite color. Naturally, the Russian rocks it. Her shoes are an afterthought, but the accents on the dress and the waistline/belt bind it all together beautifully.
6. Tomas Berdych and model girlfriend Ester Satorova: Can this pair possibly look bad? Berdych channels his brooding Czech self with all-dark ensemble that looks sleek and modern, and Ester enlivens their appearance with a lovely, bright-orange lattice pattern. Game, set, and match.
7. Daniela Hantuchova's dress: The woman knows how to work a red carpet. This looks immaculate on her thin frame, neither too much nor too little. She's flat-out on point.
8. Elena Vesnina: Lady in red. She appears the epitome of glamorous here in a rouge frock, giving good (light) face and rocking a darker pendant necklace for effect. The peekaboo bra winks at you, as everything in Miami does.
9. David Ferrer's loafers: Love the monochromatic look of the blue moccasins with his pants. (Hat tip to si.com)
10. Janko Tipsarevic's Hermes belt—and his arm candy, wife Biljana. This is simply a very effective use of white.
MISSES
1. Radwanska's hair and makeup: Simply too much. The hair is Texas tall, and her eyes look heavy. This should not be for someone who so naturally looks light, much like how she glides around the court so effortlessly. Her face should reflect that. Here, she looks aged.
2. Heather Watson: I want to like this. I want to like this so hard. The truth is, she doesn't quite look comfortable in it, nor comfortable being photographed in it. It's too bad. Remove the useless, trendy specs, and I feel she would rock the dress and shoes. With style, it's always a matter of wearing something with confidence or not wearing it at all. Leave the glasses at home next time, please. It's elementary, my dear Watson.
3. Feels like I'm ragging on the youngsters here, but Sloane Stephens' look is unfortunate. (I say this knowing that she can take it.) If you're going to wear white and gray to an event, the cuts best be titillating. Nothing here is interesting style-wise. Her white sleeved top bores the beholder, and the skirt appears a folded, dull mess. That vivacious grin will get her everywhere, and has, but it's a bit of a casual look given the setting. Maybe her mood felt dressed-down on this night. That was reflected openly.
4. Hantuchova's shoes: They just look clunky with her short, cute dress.
5. Dominika Cibulkova: Dress is fun but a bit "meh" as these affairs go. The red lipstick has got to go. It looks cheap.
6. Fernando Verdasco: Again, as with his turn in Indian Wells at that opening party, he looks slothful. And we know he can look good, so good. Cut the hair, Samson. Get back to yourself. We know you can glow far better than this dude-at-a-ski-lodge vibe.
Now, who wore your own favorite looks at the player party, and who should have been decked out in something else entirely? Sound off below with your own stylish thoughts.
Got a thought, a tip, or a point to make? Hit me on Twitter @jonscott9.