This month, Florida is set to host the ATP/WTA 1000 Miami Open, attracting the crème de la crème of tennis talent from around the globe.
Marking the second leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’ following the commencement of Indian Wells in early March, the tournament promises fierce competition and high-stakes matchups.
Elena Rybakina came tantalizingly close to achieving the coveted ‘Sunshine Double’ last year, only to be thwarted in the Miami Open final by Petra Kvitova.
What? WTA 1000 Miami Open
Where? Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
When? March 17-31
The market is not yet open for the Miami Open. The Tennis betting odds will be available when Indian Wells is wrapped up. Make sure to keep up to date with the latest Vegas Betting News.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are set to headline the women’s competition. Last year’s finalist, Elena Rybakina is aiming to make a comeback after sitting out Indian Wells. Rybakina, currently ranked third globally, had to withdraw from Indian Wells just before defending her title, citing illness as the reason for her decision.
Simona Halep
Simona Halep is back in action at this year’s Miami Open, gracing the courts at the Hard Rock Stadium where she is actively preparing for the WTA 1000 tournament. Securing a wild card entry, this marks her first appearance in a tournament since the 2022 US Open.
The former world No. 1 recently had her four-year doping ban reduced to just nine months following a successful appeal. This has allowed her a timely return to professional tennis. Miami holds special significance for Halep, as she has twice reached the semifinals at this venue. Notably, in 2019 when the tournament relocated to the Hard Rock Stadium.
Despite her two-time Grand Slam champion status, Halep, who has been absent from competition for over a year, will enter the Miami women’s singles draw without a ranking or seeding. This opens up the possibility of facing formidable opponents such as top seeds Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, or Coco Gauff in the initial rounds.
Emma Raducanu has secured a wild card entry for the upcoming Miami Open.
Despite her current world ranking at No. 252, the former US Open champion has been granted this wild card opportunity. In her recent appearance at the Qatar Open, Raducanu faced a first-round defeat at the hands of Anhelina Kalinina.
This marks Raducanu’s third use of a wild card, having previously entered tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Qatar during the month of February. As she looks ahead to the Miami Open, the young tennis sensation aims to make her mark in the competition.
The Miami Open, an annual professional tennis tournament, takes place in Miami Gardens, Florida, United States. Staged at the Hard Rock Stadium, the event unfolds on outdoor hard courts during late March and early April. Noteworthy as part of the ATP Masters 1000 events on the ATP Tour and the WTA 1000 events on the WTA Tour, it attracts top-tier talent from the tennis world.
Originally it was hosted at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. From 1987 to 2018, the tournament featured the world’s top 96 male and female tennis players. Relocating to Miami Gardens in 2019, the Miami Open follows the Indian Wells Open. It’s the second segment of the “Sunshine Double” – a series of two prestigious back-to-back tournaments held during the early spring.
In the notable year 2023, the tournament spanned 12 days and drew an impressive attendance of over 386,000 spectators. This significant turnout solidified the Miami Open’s position as one of the largest and most prominent tennis tournaments globally. It is rivaled only by the four Grand Slam events.
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.