By Aiberto Amalfi | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, February 29, 2024
The Miami Open has injected main champions into the principle draw.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori have all acquired wild playing cards into subsequent month’s Miami Open.
The Miami Open is ready for March 17-Thirty first at Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Spanning three many years, Williams, age 43, Wozniacki, age 33 and Raducanu age 21, are at very completely different phases of their careers but are amongst the most well-liked gamers on the WTA, with achievements to match.
A 3-time champion in Miami, Venus Williams boasts a outstanding seven Grand Slam singles titles over her illustrious profession and has performed in a record-breaking 93 Grand Slam tournaments.
Australian Open Champion Wozniacki, a finalist in Miami in 2017, returns for the primary time since 2019, having had a three-year break following the start of her two kids. After returning to competitors final August, she instantly impressed, reaching the fourth spherical on the 2023 US Open.
Raducanu, whose fairy-tale run on the 2021 US Open noticed her develop into the primary champion within the open period to come back by qualifying and declare victory with out shedding a single set, is eagerly anticipated to make her return after lacking a lot of the 2023 season attributable to damage. Her promising begin to the present season follows an eight-month break.
Additionally making a welcome return from damage is the Japanese star, Nishikori, making his first aggressive begin since July 2023. Ranked as excessive as 4 on this planet in 2015, Nishikori has gained 12 ATP titles and was runner-up on the 2014 US Open making him the primary male participant representing an Asian nation to succeed in a significant single last. Nishikori additionally gained the bronze medal on the 2016 Summer season Olympics, delivering Japan’s first Olympic tennis medal in 96 years.
Identified for its world-class fan expertise, the Miami Open offered by Itaú, will once more welcome tennis followers to Arduous Rock Stadium, full with the one tennis stadium court docket in an NFL venue, and its sprawling campus in Miami Gardens.
The yr’s version of the Miami Open offered by Itaú may also characteristic extra on-court motion for followers than ever earlier than. Happening within the second week, the Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational and Main League Pickleball Showcase are additionally new additions to this system, marking the primary time each occasions will happen at any 1000 collection event.
The rest of the wild playing cards for the singles, doubles and qualifying attracts can be introduced throughout the coming weeks.
For a full record of event sponsors and for ticket info, please go to www.miamiopen.com.
Photograph credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty