Top 10 Highlights Tennis Fans Must Know About the ATP 1000 Miami Masters

The highly anticipated second leg of the "Sunshine Double," the ATP Miami Open, kicks off on Wednesday.

ATP world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and last week's Indian Wells champion Jannik Sinner headline the ATP 1000 tournament lineup. The main draw will be held from March 18 to 29 at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL Miami Dolphins.

Here are the top 10 highlights of this year's event:

1. Alcaraz Aiming for a Quick Rebound

Daniil Medvedev ended world No. 1 Alcaraz's unbeaten start to the 2026 season in the Indian Wells semifinals. The Spanish star hopes to quickly regain his momentum in Miami — the very place where he clinched his first ATP 1000 title in 2022. Alcaraz's current season record stands at 16 wins and 1 loss.

2. Sinner Pursuing the Sunshine Double

Only seven players in history have ever captured both Indian Wells and Miami titles in the same year, achieving the coveted "Sunshine Double." The last to accomplish this feat was Roger Federer in 2017. In 2026, Sinner has a golden opportunity to join this legendary group: he just won the Indian Wells title without dropping a set, and the current world No. 2 also triumphed in the most recent Miami event in 2024.

3. Resurgent Medvedev Seeking Greater Success

Medvedev showcased peak form by winning the Dubai title last month and then reaching the Indian Wells final. Moreover, having returned to the Top 10 for the first time since July last year, he will continue his recent hot streak, including his impressive semifinal victory over Alcaraz. Medvedev won the Miami title in 2023.

4. Zverev Targeting His First Title of the Season

Alexander Zverev reached the semifinals at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, and now hopes to break his 2026 season title drought in Miami. The German player has a solid record on the hard courts of South Florida, with a total record of 19 wins and 10 losses, including a run to the final in 2018.

5. Fritz and Shelton Lead the Home Contingent

Over the past 15 years, only one American, John Isner (2018), has won the Miami men's singles title. In 2026, Fritz and Shelton will carry the hopes for a local victory at Hard Rock Stadium, while former Top 10 players Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul also aim to leverage home advantage.

6. Top 10 Players Aiming for Their First Masters Title

Three Top 10 players will vie for their first ATP 1000 title in Miami: World No. 5 Matteo Berrettini reached the fourth round here in both 2024 and 2025, losing to Alcaraz and Djokovic respectively; World No. 6 Alex de Minaur has never advanced beyond the Round of 16 here; World No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the semifinals in 2018.

7. Defending Champion Mensik

Czech youngster Jakub Mensik upset Novak Djokovic last year in Miami to claim his first ATP title. The 20-year-old rising star returns in 2026 ranked No. 13 in the world, having already secured his second tour title in Auckland earlier this year. Besides Alcaraz, Sinner, Medvedev, and Mensik, another former champion in the tournament lineup is the 2021 winner Hubert Hurkacz, whose current form is relatively subdued.

8. Le Ngan Qian and Fonseca Anticipating Breakthroughs

Both Le Ngan Qian and João Fonseca made their main draw debut at Miami in 2025, featuring a headline first-round clash that Fonseca won in three sets. After reaching the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, Le Ngan Qian's ranking rose to a career-high No. 21, and he aims to secure his first Miami win this year; Fonseca hopes to replicate his impressive run to the third round last year.

9. First-Round Highlight Matches:

Fonseca vs. Marozsan, head-to-head record 1-0. Winner faces Alcaraz in the second round.

Shapovalov vs. van de Zandschulp, head-to-head record 1-1. Winner faces Fritz in the second round.

Zhang Zhizhen vs. Mannarino, head-to-head record 1-0. Winner faces Paul in the second round.

Wu Yibing vs. Diallo, first meeting. Winner faces Humbert in the second round.

10. Arevalo/Pavic Defending Doubles Title

Defending champions Arevalo/Pavic, who lost in the first round at Indian Wells to the duo of Djokovic and Tsitsipas, aim for a quick rebound upon arriving at Hard Rock Stadium. Strong contenders in the tournament doubles field include top seeds Granollers/Zeballos and the 2025 runner-up pair Cash/Gallagher.

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