The Rio Open presented by Claro performs a plethora of charity work, supporting five social projects that benefit hundreds of children and their families.

But this year, some of those children got a special treat. Six boys — a champion from each of the Futuro Bom Institute, Tenis na Lagoa, Tenis Solidario, Fabiano de Paula Tennis School and Arremessar Para O Futuro as well as one additional player — were provided the opportunity to travel to Florida and train for a week at the IMG Academy.

“I felt it as much as the kids,” said Marcus Fonseca, the founder of the Futuro Bom Institute. “I never had that opportunity at IMG and the Rio Open gave us the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The players who participated in the trip ranged from ages 11 to 18 — Valter Albuquerque (11), Caua Ostenta (11), Joao Gabriel Oliveira (18), Marcus Rocha (16), Ryan Souza (16) and José André (18) — and they were accompanied by the leaders of their respective projects and Rio Open Tournament Director Luiz Carvalho.

The group got to undergo a week of first-class training, including an exclusive practice with Nick Bolletieri himself. They also learned more about physical conditioning, strategy and mental conditioning. Off the court, the children got to play baseball, meet other tennis players at the academy and visit Walt Disney World to cap off the experience of a lifetime.

“The trip was really great!” the 11-year-old Albuquerque said.

“When the trip was over, everybody was really sad to separate,” Carvalho said. “But the truth is they are family forever, the Rio Open family, the winners family, and certainly we’re going to see each other many times here in Rio.”

The Rio Open’s effort was one of nine charitable causes nominated by ATP World Tour players, tournaments and alumni that received a $15,000 grant from ATP ACES For Charity in 2017.

The ability to quickly adjust to different surfaces and conditions is a necessity on the 64-tournament circuit. Here’s a look at some of the best performers in 2017 by surface this year:

Hard Courts (minimum 10 matches)
Roger Federer won five of his seven titles on hard courts in 2017, including his fifth Australian Open and three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns. David Goffin, who recorded the most hard-court match wins this season, contested five hard-court title matches (2-3 record) for a .717 winning percentage.

Clay Courts (minimum 10 matches)
‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal recorded historic 10th titles at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell and at Roland Garros. He also won a fifth Mutua Madrid Open trophy and now has a record 53 red dirt crowns. Dominic Thiem also excelled, compiling a 24-5 (.828) mark on the surface (1-2 record in finals).

Grass Courts (minimum 5 matches)
Federer reigned supreme on the grass, lifting his ninth Gerry Weber Open title and a record eighth Wimbledon crown. His lone loss on mown lawns came to Tommy Haas at the Mercedes Cup, following a two-month absence from competitive play. Marin Cilic, who fell to Federer in the Wimbledon final, also finished as runner-up in his third Queen’s Club Championships final (l. to Lopez).

Indoors (minimum 10 matches)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won three indoor crowns at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, the Open 13 Marseille and the European Open from four finals (Erste Bank Open 500). The Frenchman has an 11-8 mark in indoor finals (16-12 overall). Goffin and Grigor Dimitrov, who contested the title match at the Nitto ATP Finals, also performed strongly.

The Miami Open presented by Itau will move to a new home in 2019.

IMG, an Endeavor company, announced on Wednesday that the tournament will be relocating to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, aiming to bring an unparalleled fan experience, improved player amenities, ample parking, as well as an extended fan base to the tournament. Construction on the new tennis facilities will begin in 2018.

The Miami Open presented by Itau’s last event at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, where it has enjoyed a successful 32-year run, will begin in March. Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez will work closely to develop this reimagined event.

“The Miami Open belongs in Miami,” said WME and IMG Co-President Mark Shapiro. “We’re grateful to have amazing partners in Stephen, the Miami Dolphins organisation, Mayor Gimenez and above all the people of Miami who have been supporting the Miami Open for decades. While we’re looking forward to creating the new Miami Open experience at Hard Rock Stadium, our priority is to make the last edition of the Key Biscayne event the best it’s ever been.”

Ross is also happy to keep the tournament in South Florida.

“We are extremely excited that the Miami Open, a global entertainment event, will remain in our community,” Ross said. “We are committed to bringing a best-in-class experience alongside IMG to all of the players, fans and partners that will take part in this global affair. The opportunity to showcase the best tennis in the world in Hard Rock Stadium, a venue that brings together the best of culture, art and entertainment, will be an amazing experience for everyone involved.”

The move to Hard Rock Stadium will allow the Miami Open presented by Itau the freedom and flexibility to grow and innovate the event with improved infrastructure, upgraded amenities, expanded space and parking. The event will have 30 show and practice courts; a tennis oasis with the largest video screen of any tennis event; a sponsorship village with expanded and upgraded entertainment spaces; permanent retail facilities; improved Wi-Fi, media facilities, locker rooms and fitness space for players and tennis staff. The tournament’s sponsors will enjoy state-of-the-art hospitality options, improved activation areas, additional opportunities for brand exposure and access to new markets north of Miami-Dade County.

The centerpiece of the move will be a new Centre Court, which will showcase a 14,000-seat stadium within Hard Rock Stadium. Ross has invested more than $500 million into Hard Rock Stadium over the years, which boasts a state-of-the-art shade canopy, four giant high-definition video boards, new seats closer to the action, concourses, restrooms and retail outlets throughout the entire facility, and new premium spaces that raise the caliber for luxury within a sports facility.

The 2018 Miami Open presented by Itau, the second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the season, will be played from 19 March-1 April. Roger Federer is the defending champion.

There has never been a question about Nick Kyrgios’ talent. But now the Australian is more determined than ever to make the most of it and continue his rise up the ATP World Tour. He will debut in the main draw of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, which will take place from 31 December through 7 January.

“I’m training much harder in the gym, so hopefully my body gets stronger and I can go deeper into tournaments on a more consistent basis,” Kyrgios said. “I’m taking much better care of my body now, and I feel like I’m giving myself the best possible chance of winning tennis matches. My hip isn’t troubling me and I’m being more disciplined with my rehab, so hopefully the hard work starts to pay off.”

The right-hander was hampered by a hip injury toward the end of the 2017 season, losing in the first round of three of his final four tournaments before ultimately cutting his campaign short after the European Open in Antwerp. The three-time ATP World Tour champion has been open about spending time on the basketball court for fun despite having some niggles.

“Playing lots of basketball wasn’t great for my body, people have told me that and I’m now starting to listen,” Kyrgios said. “So I’m feeling fit, healthy and as motivated as I have for a while. I feel much more ready to go and play good tennis than I did this time last year. I’ve also improved my diet, all the things you need to do to be at your best.”

Kyrgios got a practice session in on Wednesday at Queensland Tennis Centre, the home of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp. He last appeared in Brisbane five years ago, losing in the first round of qualifying against compatriot James Duckworth.

The 22-year-old is plenty familiar with the facility ahead of his first main draw appearance at the tournament.

“I’ve also trained here in the off-season in the past, so I feel very comfortable out here,” Kyrgios said. “It’s a great tournament with a very strong field again this year, so I’m very excited. It’s great preparation for the Australian Open, but I’m not thinking about the A.O. or any other tournament at the minute. I’m just focused on getting my year off to a good start here in Brisbane.”

Other players competing in the event include Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 player in the Emirates ATP Rankings, Andy Murray and Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov, who won in Brisbane last season.

Kyrgios’s most recent appearance was at a charity exhibition against Juan Martin del Potro on 15 December in Argentina. The Australian donated $100,000 of his appearance fee straight to his NK Foundation, which strives to both increase access to and provide sport to underprivileged & disadvantaged youth.

ATP ACES For Charity: Nick Kyrgios

While Kyrgios has not set any goals or completed his full schedule for 2018 just yet, he is excited about doing two things in particular.

“My main goals are just to stay healthy and play as much tennis as I can,” Kyrgios said.