Top five players who might miss Miami Open 2025

Defending champion Jannik Sinner will be unable to defend his title in Miami.

The Miami Open 2025, a major hardcourt tennis tournament, will be held from March 18 to 30, 2025, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Marking its 40th edition, the event is classified as an ATP Masters 1000 tournament on the 2025 ATP Tour and a WTA 1000 event on the 2025 WTA Tour.

The event will take place just a week after the Indian Wells Open, and many of the top players in Miami will be participating. Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev are some of the big names from the ATP circuit, while Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff will be in the spotlight from the WTA division.

All eyes will be on Indian Wells winners, Jack Draper and Mirra Andreeva. While Draper ousted two-time champion Alcaraz, Andreeva knocked out two previous Indian Wells champions- Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina and completed her triumph with a stunning comeback victory over World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

An exciting two weeks of tennis await on the hard courts of Miami, with valuable ranking points and a lucrative prize pool up for grabs. However, some top players have opted to skip the event. Let’s take a look at the five biggest names missing from the action.

Also Read: Miami Open: Full list of title winners 

5. Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis recently underwent surgery to treat a long-standing pectoral injury. The 28-year-old aggravated the issue during his grueling five-set loss to Jack Draper in the Australian Open second round, forcing him to withdraw from a doubles match with Nick Kyrgios the following day. Now in recovery, the Australian isn’t 100% sure if the surgery is a success and will therefore be sidelined for Miami.

4. Marketa Vondrousova

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova earlier opted out of the Indian Wells Open 2025, despite previously competing at the Dubai Open, where she lost to eventual champion Mirra Andreeva. Although Vondrousova looked fully fit during her match, she has not yet revealed the reason for not participating in the BNP Paribas Open.

The Czech’s name is missing from the Miami draws, further extending her absence from the North American swing.

3. Barbora Krejcikova

Reigning 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova remains sidelined due to a persistent back injury. She has not been able to make any impact this season yet, she missed the Australian Open. The Czech’s recovery has seen little progress, forcing her withdrawal from the Sunshine Double. This further puts her title defence in Wimbledon, in jeopardy.  

Also Read: Top five players with most titles in women’s singles at Miami Open

2. Venus Williams

Venus Williams last played competitive tennis at this event, back in 2024, when she suffered a round-one defeat to Diana Shnaider. Earlier, the Indian Wells Open 2025 organisers had offered Venus Williams a wild-card entry, but the American reportedly turned the offer down.

“I’m not playing – I’m going to be overseas. I’m not going to be here,” she said. Venus Williams had infamously boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years after her younger sister Serena Williams was booed and heckled by fans during her win against Kim Clijsters in the 2001 final.

1. Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner will be unable to defend his title in Miami, resulting in a massive drop of 1000 points. However, his position at the top of the ATP rankings remains secure, as none of his counterparts have been able to capitalize on his absence.

Also Read: Top five players with most titles in men’s singles at Miami Open

The World No.1 continues to serve his three-month ban at the hands of the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), and is expected to return just in time for the Italian Open (ATP 1000) in Rome, played in May, where the top seed also happens to be the defending champion.

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