Here’s What You Can Expect at This Year’s Miami Open – Miami New Times

Another March, another Miami Open. It’s almost routine now, but make no mistake — when the first serve flies at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, March 16, it’ll mark the beginning of one of the most dynamic editions in the tournament’s four-decade history.

Tennis, of course, remains its undeniable focal point and crown jewel, with last year’s champion and Florida native Danielle Collins returning to defend her title and 2024 men’s champion Jannik Sinner sitting it out due to a failed drug test.

In true Magic City fashion, the Open is pushing boundaries, embracing adjacent sports, beefing up its culinary experience, and delivering a bigger racket (pun intended) than ever before. Here’s what you can expect at the Miami Open this year.

Padel Joins the Party

The Miami Open has already dipped its toes into expanding the racket-sport universe — remember last year’s on-site pickleball tournament? This year, it’s taking a leap with the inaugural Publix Padel Cup, marking the first time the sport has been integrated into a 1000-level tennis event. Running March 27 to 30, the tournament features elite teams competing for a piece of the $25,000 prize fund. Three brand-new luxury padel courts will be constructed on-site, including a dedicated Padel Lounge where fans will be able to participate in interactive clinics. If you haven’t experienced the lightning-fast volleys and glass-wall rebounds of padel yet, the Open is your chance.

The Return of Wheelchair Tennis

After a widely praised debut last year, the Miami Open Wheelchair Tennis Invitational is back March 26 to 28. Former champion Dana Mathewson, who competed in the inaugural event, is stepping into a new role as assistant tournament director following her retirement. With 16 singles titles and 32 doubles titles under her belt, Mathewson brings first-hand expertise to the event, ensuring this growing facet of the sport gets even more of the spotlight.

The Main Event

Of course, tennis is the main event here, and this year’s lineup is nothing short of electric. Icon Novak Djokovic is slated to make his long-awaited return to Miami for the first time since 2019, joining a stacked men’s draw including Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, German Alexander Zverev, and top-ranked American Taylor Fritz.

On the women’s side, Collins will look to replicate last year’s Miami magic, while fellow Floridians Madison Keys — who snagged the Australian Open title earlier this year — and former Miami Open champ Sloane Stephens are also expected to make waves this year.

“As one of the crown jewels of tennis, we have the best players in the world required to enter the tournament,” Josh Ripple, senior vice president of IMG’s tennis events, tells New Times. “So, the good news is you don’t have to worry about the tennis action you’ll see. Our biggest opportunity and what we have the most fun with is everything we are bringing off the court.”

Elevated Eats

As for those off-the-court experiences, the Miami Open is leveling up its food game. This year, Zuma and Fabel Miami join the tournament as official restaurant partners. Expect high-end Japanese cuisine from Zuma and chill Miami rooftop vibes from Fabel, ensuring taste buds are equally entertained between matches.

Whether you’re coming for the serves, the sushi, or a swing at padel, you won’t want to miss a minute of the Open this year. Pro-tip: Don’t just attend on championship weekend (Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30) — the tournament is action-packed for the entirety of its two-week run.

Miami Open. Sunday, March 16 through Sunday, March 30 at Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr., Miami Gardens; miamiopen.com.