By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Novak Djokovic will make his long-awaited Miami Open return poised for a record-setting run.
Grand Slam king Djokovic joins fellow world No. 1 Iga Swiatek heading the entry list for next month’s Miami Open.
Seventeen years after Djokovic defeated Guillermo Canas 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to capture his maiden Miami Open crown when the tournament was played at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, he will return to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Six-time champion Djokovic shares the all-time men’s mark for most titles with Andre Agassi. Djokovic will be playing a record-setting seventh Miami Open crown.
The Miami Open is set for March 17-31st. See the complete entry list here.
Five-time finalist Rafael Nadal, who aims to make his comeback in Indian Wells next month, does not appear on the Miami Open entry list. However, former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini, who has been hit with a slew of injuries, is on the entry list.
It will be Djokovic’s first Miami appearance since 2019.
Despite the efforts of the tournament, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, the unvaccinated Djokovic did not receive an exemption to enter the United States for the 2023 Miami Open. That decision came after the Florida Governor suggested Djokovic could work around the nation’s COVID-19 policy for international travelers and gain entry to Florida by water.
Restrictions were lifted on May 11, 2023, which gave Djokovic eligibility to enter the United States since last summer.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, who consolidated her place as world No. 1 with a straight-sets win over last year’s Miami Open runner-up Elena Rybakina in the Qatar Open final last weekend, is seeking a second Miami Open title. Swiatek stopped fellow four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the 2022 final.
Defending champion Petra Kvitova is not playing this year, having announced her pregnancy at the start of the year. Kvitova will have plenty of inspiration for making a speedy return to the court with new mom Osaka playing in Miami this year. Having returned to competition only six months after having her daughter Shai, she enjoyed her first back-to-back wins since her return in Qatar last week, beating world No.20 Caroline Garcia in the first round.
On the ladies side, former No. 1 Angelique Kerber, former Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa, Amanda Anisimova…
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