The Miami Open has become a showcase for a new generation of tennis talent, with teenagers dominating the headlines. According to multiple reports, Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva are the two highest-ranked teenagers in the world, sitting at No. 9 and No. 10 respectively. The pair recently won a doubles match against eighth seeds Demi Schuurs and Ellen Perez after trailing 0-5 in the first set. In March 2023, Coco Gauff was the only teenager ranked inside the top 50, highlighting how quickly the landscape has shifted. Other young players making their mark include 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, who reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and now sits at No. 17, and 19-year-old Maya Joint of Australia, who has established herself around the top 30. According to multiple reports, Alexandra Eala of the Philippines is also gaining attention as the first elite player from her country.
Coco Gauff has been a central figure at the Miami Open, reaching the semi-finals for the first time in her career with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 win over Bencic. Multiple reports indicate that Gauff has been taken to a final set in all four of her matches at the tournament. She changed her service motion under the tutelage of Gavin Macmillan. However, concerns linger over her fitness: Gauff was forced to retire from Indian Wells due to a right forearm injury.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has also been in the spotlight for reasons beyond her tennis. She got engaged to her partner, Georgios Frangulis, and attended a party at Gekko steakhouse in Miami with her fiancé, wearing a tiger-print fur coat from Gucci believed to cost $48,000. On the court, Sabalenka won her first-round match against Ann Li, but the match was delayed multiple times due to rain and started at 9:48 PM local time, finishing after midnight. Sabalenka criticized Miami Open organizers for changing her start time multiple times. "I was a little bit frustrated with the schedule today. They changed my start time three times. I was ready to play at 1pm, then 2:30pm, then 4pm, then 7pm. It was a little bit tough to handle," she said in a press conference. She also expressed shock that organizers considered canceling her match: "I was shocked that they were thinking about canceling the match. I was like, 'No, I want to play.' I chose to play because if I win, I have a day off tomorrow." Miami Open tournament director James Blake spoke about scheduling before the event.
Off the court, former tennis star Anna Kournikova has made headlines with family news. According to multiple reports, Kournikova gave birth to her fourth child, Romeo, in December. She was recently seen at Tidal Cove waterpark with her three eldest children.
Iga Swiatek, a six-time grand slam title winner, suffered an early exit at the Miami Open, losing in the second round to Magda Linette. Multiple reports indicate that Swiatek parted ways with her coach, Wim Fissette. The Polish star also tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine in autumn 2024 and was suspended for a month in December 2024.
In the men's draw, Sebastian Korda stunned world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the third round, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 for his first victory over a top-ranked player. According to multiple reports, Korda had been sidelined over the summer last year with a shin stress fracture and recently lost to Zachary Svajda in a Challenger Tour final.
Hamad Medjedovic also caused an upset, beating world No. 7 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 in the Barcelona Open second round. The 2023 Next Gen Finals winner has received support from Novak Djokovic, who helped pay for Medjedovic's training and travel when he was a youngster, according to multiple reports.
Fran Jones, who has the rare genetic condition ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft syndrome (EEC), beat Venus Williams 7-5, 7-5 in the Miami Open first round.
Moise Kouame made history by becoming the youngest man to win a match at the Miami Open at 17 years and 13 days, beating Zachary Svajda 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. According to multiple reports, Novak Djokovic texted Kouame after his win.
Jannik Sinner beat Damir Dzumhur 6-3, 6-3 in the second round. Multiple reports note that Sinner has won 24 consecutive sets at the Masters 1000 level, and he and Carlos Alcaraz have won the last nine Grand Slam titles.