In a star-studded off-season treat for fans, British sensation Emma Raducanu and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz have signed on for the inaugural **Miami Invitational**—a high-energy exhibition tennis event set for December 8, 2025, at Miami Marlins’ loanDepot Park. Joining them is American powerhouse Amanda Anisimova, the 2025 Wimbledon runner-up (and US Open finalist), in what promises to be a festive clash blending ATP and WTA flair under the stadium lights. Organized by Unified Events, the evening kicks off at 7 p.m. ET with Raducanu facing Anisimova in a marquee women’s matchup, followed by Alcaraz taking on rising Brazilian teen João Fonseca (No. 42, 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champ). It’s the first tennis spectacle at the 37,000-seat venue, turning baseball turf into a hard-court party with music, pyrotechnics, and fan Q&A sessions.
#### Event Breakdown: Format, Stakes, and Star Power
This isn’t your standard tour stop—think fast-paced sets (no-ad scoring, super tiebreaks) designed for entertainment, with a portion of proceeds benefiting youth sports programs in South Florida. No ranking points, but plenty of buzz as the trio caps a blockbuster 2025:
– **Women’s Clash: Raducanu vs. Anisimova** – A rematch of their heated 2025 encounters (Raducanu leads 2-1, including AO and Miami wins; Anisimova edged her in Canada). Anisimova’s grass-court wizardry (Wimbledon final loss to Iga Swiatek) meets Raducanu’s baseline fire—expect drop-shot duels and crowd-roaring rallies. Raducanu, post her US Open third-round run, called it “a fun way to end the year with someone who’s been on fire.”
– **Men’s Clash: Alcaraz vs. Fonseca** – The Spaniard, fresh off seven titles (including French Open and US Open crowns), faces 19-year-old Fonseca, Brazil’s top-ranked player and a Next Gen phenom who joined Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as an 18-year-old champ. Alcaraz, nursing a minor ankle tweak from Tokyo, grinned: “João’s got that fire—it’s going to be electric under the lights.”
Anisimova rounds out the “Wimbledon finalist” billing, her 2025 surge (Qatar WTA 1000 title, Slams deep runs) making her a perfect foil. “Excited to share the court with these legends,” she posted on X, where #MiamiInvitational is already trending with fan edits pitting the matchups.
#### Why It Matters: A Bridge Between Seasons
For Raducanu (No. 33, rebuilding post-injuries with a strong hard-court fall), it’s momentum into 2026—her first exhibition since the US Open mixed doubles flop with Alcaraz (early exit to Jack Draper/Jessica Pegula). Alcaraz, eyeing Year-End No. 1 lock-in, uses it as low-stakes fun before Saudi exhibitions. Anisimova? A victory lap after her career-best year, sans the pressure of Slams.
Tickets drop October 1 via Ticketmaster ($50-$500), with VIP perks like player meet-and-greets. Marlins exec Caroline O’Connor hailed it: “South Florida at center court of global sports.” As December nears, this quartet’s vibe—youthful, explosive—could steal the show from holiday cheer. Mark calendars: Miami’s about to serve up some serious heat. 🎾🌴
