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2025 ATP Miami Open Preview: Top Contenders, Sinner’s Absence & the American Challenge
The 2025 ATP Miami Open is set to begin this week, marking the second leg of the prestigious Sunshine Double. With a star-studded field featuring top names like Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, and Novak Djokovic, the tournament promises high-stakes action as play kicks off on Wednesday, March 18.
Sinner’s Absence Looms Large
One of the biggest storylines heading into Miami is the absence of defending champion Jannik Sinner. The world No. 1 has been suspended for three months, forcing him to miss a second consecutive Masters 1000 after skipping Indian Wells. Despite his absence, his top ranking remains safe for now. However, once he returns during the clay-court season, he may face a greater challenge in defending his position at the top.
Top Contenders to Watch
With Sinner sidelined, Alexander Zverev takes the No. 1 seed as the world’s second-ranked player. The German will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing early exit in Indian Wells, where he fell in his opening match to Tallon Griekspoor. Zverev, eager for redemption, will start his campaign against the winner of Benjamin Bonzi vs. a qualifier.
Carlos Alcaraz will also be hungry for a deeper run after falling to eventual Indian Wells champion Jack Draper in the semifinals. The Spaniard, defending a semifinal appearance from last year’s Miami Open, will be determined to close the ranking gap between himself, Zverev, and Sinner. His tournament begins against either Aleksandar Vukic or former world No. 7 David Goffin.
The hottest name in men’s tennis right now is undoubtedly Jack Draper. The 23-year-old claimed his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells and has surged into the ATP top 10, now ranked world No. 6. His impressive performances have also propelled him to third in the ATP Race to Turin, establishing him as a serious threat in every major tournament.
Another key player to watch is Holger Rune, the Indian Wells runner-up. Despite the heartbreak of losing the final to Draper, Rune took down top players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev along the way. Still fighting to crack the top 10, a deep run in Miami could see him follow Draper’s footsteps into the ATP’s elite tier.
Then there’s Novak Djokovic—arguably the tournament’s biggest wildcard. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has been struggling with form recently, suffering an early exit in Indian Wells. While his ability to dominate remains unquestioned, inconsistency has been an issue. With more time to prepare for Miami, Djokovic could either emerge as a strong contender or face another surprise early elimination. One potential storyline to watch is a possible second-round clash against Hamad Medjedovic, the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion, whom Djokovic has personally mentored and financially supported. First, though, Medjedovic must get past Rinky Hijikata.
The Americans Seeking Redemption
Indian Wells was disappointing for American players, with only one making it to the quarterfinals. The last time a homegrown player won the Miami Open was in 2022, when Taylor Fritz broke a 20-year drought. However, deep runs from American men have remained rare in this tournament.
This year, seven American players are seeded and better positioned for success. Taylor Fritz (No. 3 seed) leads the charge and will start his campaign against either Lorenzo Sonego or Mariano Navone. Ben Shelton, one of the most promising young talents, suffered a third-round exit in Miami last year and will be looking for a breakthrough. Tommy Paul (No. 12 seed) has shown flashes of brilliance but is still searching for a defining deep run at this level. He reached the fourth round at Indian Wells before falling to Daniil Medvedev.
With top players in form, rising stars making waves, and Djokovic’s uncertain form, the 2025 Miami Open promises to deliver another thrilling chapter in the ATP season.
