From the tournament’s inception in 1985, only four male athletes have achieved the remarkable feat of clinching the Miami Open title three times or more. Two iconic figures in the sport share the record, each boasting six victories at this prestigious event.
The Miami Open, a Masters 1000 level event since 1990, is a competition that takes place on the hard court. The tournament found a new home in 2019, moving from its previous location at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne to the Hard Rock Stadium.
This article takes a closer look at these four tennis titans, each of whom has written their own chapter in Miami Open history.
Andre Agassi’s name is etched in the annals of the Miami Open, having clinified the title six times. His first victory came in 1990, the same year the tournament was elevated to a Masters Series event. It was here that Agassi outclassed Stefan Edberg to claim his first Miami Open trophy.
Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, repeated this feat in 1995 and 1996, besting Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic respectively. He then made history by becoming the first player to win the Miami Open three years in a row from 2001 to 2003. During this impressive streak, he defeated Jan-Michael Gambill, Roger Federer, and Carlos Moya.
The Miami Open crowning glory was also bestowed upon Pete Sampras three times. His first taste of victory came in 1993, where he triumphed over MaliVai Washington. The following year, he successfully defended his title by besting Andre Agassi. His third and final Miami Open title was claimed in 2000, where he outplayed Gustavo Kuerten.
Roger Federer, another titan of the sport, has four Miami Open titles to his name. His first victory in 2005 was a memorable one, where he staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from two sets down to overcome Rafael Nadal. Federer defended his title the following year, defeating Ivan Ljubicic.
After an 11-year gap, Federer once again tasted victory in Miami in 2017, once more outplaying Nadal. His last win came in 2019, the first year the tournament was held at the Hard Rock Stadium. He secured his fourth title by defeating John Isner.
Novak Djokovic, a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis, holds the joint record of six Miami Open titles. He clinched his first trophy in 2007, defeating Guillermo Canas. His domination continued with consecutive victories in 2011 and 2012, overcoming Nadal and Andy Murray respectively.
Like Agassi, Djokovic achieved the remarkable feat of winning the Miami Open three times in a row from 2014 to 2016. During this period, he outplayed Nadal, Murray, and Kei Nishikori. With these victories, he matched Agassi’s record of six Miami Open titles.
In conclusion, these four athletes have left an indelible mark on the Miami Open. Their impressive performances and consistent victories have not only written them into the tournament’s history but also elevated the status of the event in the world of tennis.
