From tennis paradise to the East Coast, the second of back-to-back WTA and ATP 1000 events begins this week as the world’s best prepare to try to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ at the Miami Open.
The iconic Hard Rock Stadium hosts the two-week event as Jakub Mensik and Aryna Sabalenka look to defend their titles. Sabalenka finally conquered her Indian Wells demons, defeating Elena Rybakina in a breathless final to claim the desert title and her 23rd career crown; if she defends in Florida she will complete the Sunshine Double.
Only four women have achieved the unique double — Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005), Victoria Azarenka (2016) and Iga Swiatek (2022). Martina Navratilova, who first won the Miami Open in 1985, reflected on the difficulty: “I think it’s just because it’s tough fields, the biggest and the best. And then there’s the adjustment as far as weather and the courts. It just weighs you down. With back-to-back two-week events, it’s tough to stay on top of it for so long, physically or emotionally. It’s a longer stretch of engagement.”
Jannik Sinner claimed his first title of the year with victory over Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells, not dropping a set through the fortnight, putting him on course to attempt the double on the men’s side.
Which British players will be competing — or not?
British No 1 Emma Raducanu pulled out on the eve of the tournament due to illness, still recovering from post-viral symptoms picked up in the Middle East last month. The former US Open champion had been seeking to build on her career-first WTA 1000 quarter-final run in Miami from last year and could have faced compatriot Sonay Kartal in the second round.
Kartal will instead lead the Brits in Miami after reaching the last 16 at Indian Wells; she faces American Peyton Stearns in the first round. Katie Boulter has received direct entry and faces Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maniero in round one before a potential clash with 17th seed Clara Tauson. The 29-year-old, who picked up her fourth tour-level title last month at the Ostrava Open, has Karolina Muchova and Iga Swiatek in her quarter of the draw.
Fran Jones completes the British women’s line-up, opening against Venus Williams, 45, in a mouth-watering contest. Since the event began in 1985, Serena Williams has won the Miami Open eight times, including three-peats from 2002-04 and 2013-15.
On the men’s side, Jack Draper will lead the British charge as he eyes a second Masters 1000 title. He reached the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open while defending his Indian Wells crown, claiming a first career win over Novak Djokovic in a gruelling fourth-round match. Seeded 25th in Miami with a bye into round two, Draper will play the winner of Reilly Opelka and Nuno Borges; sixth seed Taylor Fritz is a potential third-round opponent. A fourth-round meet could see him face Casper Ruud, whom he beat in last year’s Indian Wells final, and a quarter-final clash with world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz could be on the cards.
New British No 1 Cam Norrie is in the opposite half and could meet Sinner in the fourth round if both progress. Four Brits — Jack Pinnington Jones, Billy Harris, Jay Clarke and Arthur Fery — are in men’s qualifying aiming for the main draw.
Session times: day sessions begin at 4pm UK time (11am local) with night sessions starting at midnight UK time (7pm local).
Who is playing and who is out?
Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the Miami Open citing a right shoulder injury. The 38-year-old, beaten by Draper at Indian Wells, opted not to compete in the second leg of the Sunshine Double. Djokovic is a six-time champion in Florida and reached last year’s final, losing to Jakub Mensik.
Carlos Alcaraz will be the top seed at the Masters 1000 event, which begins on Wednesday.
Watch the Miami Open live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app.