Seven top players are absent from this year's Miami tournament; which one do you think is the most unfortunate?

The 2026 Miami Open commenced on March 15 and will run until March 29. This tournament has seen numerous exciting contests, and this year's event is also filled with high expectations.

Following his surprising defeat to Medvedev in the Indian Wells Open semifinals, Alcaraz is surely keen to get back on track. The Spaniard will also aim for "revenge," as he lost to Belgian player Goffin in the second round of last year's Miami Open. World No. 2 Sinner will strive to maintain his strong form after winning the BNP Paribas Open and continue to trouble his opponents. Defending champion Mensik hopes to replicate his heroic performances from the past and write another memorable chapter in the tournament.

On the women's side, Sabalenka, who just won the Indian Wells title last week, will compete as the defending champion. She defeated American player Pegula in the 2025 final to claim the trophy; world No. 2 Rybakina is also a strong contender for the title, having started the season excellently by winning the Australian Open, reaching the quarterfinals in Doha, and finishing as runner-up in Indian Wells; last year's Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Swiatek, who has repeatedly stalled in quarterfinals this season, will aim to break this "curse."

Despite the star-studded lineup, there are still some notable players missing from both the men's and women's singles draws for various reasons. Here are seven players who will be absent from the 2026 Miami Open:

Kudermetova

Russian player Kudermetova, ranked No. 57 in the world, underwent surgery early this year, missing the Australian Open. She recently posted a photo on Instagram holding a racket with an emoji, signaling positive progress in her recovery. Reports indicate her spot will be taken by Putintseva.

Kasatkina

Australian player Kasatkina is also absent from the Miami tournament. She participated in the Australian Open but was stopped in the third round. The 28-year-old player missed the Dubai Open due to a hip injury and will continue to be absent from Miami. Her place in the draw is taken by Romanian player Rus, who (world No. 74) will face Croatian player Ruzic in the first round.

Ka. Pliskova

Czech star Pliskova announced her withdrawal from the 2026 Miami Open. The former world No. 1 had been sidelined for a long time due to an ankle injury and returned at this year's Australian Open. She advanced to the third round but ultimately lost to American player Madison Keys. Her spot will be filled by Parks.

Krejcikova

Czech player Krejcikova withdrew from this tournament due to a persistent back injury. The 2024 Wimbledon champion struggled with back issues throughout 2025, missing several events. The injury continued into 2026, causing her to miss both Indian Wells and Miami. Swiss player Simone Waltert will replace her.

Vondrousova

Czech player Vondrousova is absent from this Miami Open due to a shoulder injury. The former Wimbledon champion is expected to be sidelined from the tour for several months. The 26-year-old has been plagued by injuries throughout her career and underwent surgery after last year's Wimbledon. She returned at the Adelaide event early in 2026 but withdrew in the second round against Diana Schneider due to a thigh injury.

Rune

Danish rising star Rune will miss the Miami Open due to an Achilles tendon rupture. He sustained the injury during the Stockholm Open last October and has not returned to competition since. There is no clear timeline for his comeback yet; he is expected to recover at least by early April, meaning he will also miss the Monte Carlo Masters.

Djokovic

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic will also be absent from this tournament held at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium. He withdrew due to a shoulder injury, which occurred during his intense match against Draper at the 2026 Indian Wells Masters. The 38-year-old player hinted after the loss that he might miss this event.

After the qualifying rounds conclude, the main draw will officially begin on Tuesday. The Miami Open women's singles final is scheduled for March 28, and the men's singles final is set for March 29.（Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark）