Zverev, Sánchez Vicario serve up Miami flavor at Citi Taste of Tennis

WATCH: Players and guests had a blast as Citi Taste of Tennis returned to Indian Wells ahead of the BNP Paribas Open

MIAMI, Fla.—The ATP and WTA Tour’s top players have descended on South Florida this week for the second half of the Sunshine Swing. But before they hit the courts for the Miami Open, the game’s biggest stars enjoyed an evening of music, drinks and delicious eats at the Citi Taste of Tennis.

Hosted at the JW Marriott Miami by Spanish legend Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Chef Diego Oka, executive chef at La Mar by Gastón Acurio, the evening featured former world No. 2 Alexander Zverev joining the pair onstage for a cooking demonstration.

“I’m about to cook, unfortunately. Very unfortunately, actually!” Zverev joked before the event. “I’m not really a great cook at all. I’m probably a better tennis player than a cook, but hopefully everything works out well.”

After an intimate “fireside chat” with Sanchez Vicario and Nick Monroe at the Citigold VIP Hour, guests were ushered into the event alongside their favorite tennis stars, including Caroline Garcia, Frances Tiafoe, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and more.

“Taste of Tennis is such a wonderful event. We had it at Indian Wells, we had it at the US Open, and I always love trying all the different cuisines,” said Gabriela Dabrowski. “It’s so good to be back.”

“I really love to cook, so it’s really nice to have such an event like Taste of Tennis,” Jelena Ostepanko added. “It’s always great to come and spend some time here, I always enjoy the evening here.”

Of course, the highlight of the Citi Taste of Tennis is always the food, this week’s event once again featured some of the biggest names in Miami cuisine.

Chef Michael Hernandez and Chef Saeko Nemoto of Boulud Sud Miami, Carlos Garcia from LEKU, Karina Rivera of Sweets with Love, Patrick Palmer of the JW Marriott Miami and Omar Montero of La Santa Taqueria were in attendance on Monday—all of whom American doubles star Mattek-Sands would love to add to her growing list of culinary contacts.

“Let me tell you something, at Taste of Tennis I have met more chef friends than anywhere else—and I still keep in touch with them!” Mattek-Sands said.

“I go to their restaurants whenever I’m in Indian Wells or Palm Springs, Miami, New York, Washington D.C. … I’ve kept in touch with them over the years, they’re amazing. I’m excited to find out who is here in Miami.”

The Citi Taste of Tennis will be back on the calendar during the Citi Open in Washington D.C. on July 30 and in New York City ahead of the US Open on August 24.