As the tennis world gears up for the 40th anniversary of the Miami Open, a star-studded lineup is expected to grace the courts of the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens from March 18 to 30. The captivating tournament, which began its journey in 1985, is the second segment of the much-anticipated ‘Sunshine Double’ following the Indian Wells Open.
The 2025 Miami Open will see the return of Danielle Collins to defend her title, after a triumphant 7-5, 6-3 win against Elena Rybakina in the 2024 final. However, the competition is set to be fierce, with the world’s top-ranked players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, ready to display their prowess. Coco Gauff, the world’s third-ranked player, will also be joining the battle alongside fellow American top 10 seeds Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Emma Navarro.
The main draw of the women’s singles event will comprise an impressive 96 players, including 76 direct entrants, 12 qualifiers, and eight wildcard entries. The identities of these wildcard entries remain, for now, a mystery, although the 2024 wildcards featured names like Erika Andreeva, Hailey Baptiste, Brenda Fruhvirtova, Linda Fruhvirtova, Simona Halep, Emma Raducanu, Venus Williams, and Caroline Wozniacki.
No withdrawals have been reported thus far from the WTA Miami entry list, setting the scene for a full house of tennis talent. Among the players, three former Miami Open champions, Collins (2024), Swiatek (2022), and Victoria Azarenka (2009, 2011, and 2016) are set to return. Sloane Stephens and Petra Kvitova, who claimed the titles in 2018 and 2023, could also make an appearance through wildcard entries, despite not qualifying via ranking.
The ATP’s protective ranking system, which grants entry to players sidelined by injuries for at least six months, will see the inclusion of Sorana Cirstea, Lauren Davis, and Caty McNally into the Miami main draw.
The focus of many tennis enthusiasts will undoubtedly be on Emma Raducanu. After requiring a wildcard to participate in the first two WTA 1000 events of 2025 in Doha and Dubai, Raducanu’s ranking has now secured her direct entry into the Miami Open main draw.
The intense competition for the WTA’s world number one spot continues, with Iga Swiatek potentially having to wait to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, young players are making waves in the rankings, echoing the achievements of tennis legends like Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and Martina Hingis.
The Miami Open 2025 promises to be an event brimming with anticipation, showcasing the world’s best tennis talent under the South Florida sun. As we inch closer to the event, all eyes will be on the official announcement of the wildcard entries and the final lineup, setting the stage for another memorable chapter in tennis history.