MIAMI — It seems every March, a young tennis player makes a breakthrough at the Miami Open and captures global attention amid South Florida’s palm trees, suffocating humidity and inevitable rain showers.

Time will tell who will emerge from the 2026 tournament, which runs from Sunday through March 29 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Last year, Jakub Mensik, the unseeded and 54th-ranked 19-year-old Czech, beat his childhood idol Novak Djokovic to win his first ATP 1000 crown.

Mensik was not even born when Djokovic began his professional tennis career. He stole the spotlight and a milestone victory from his idol in a match delayed by nearly six hours after a torrential downpour.

Djokovic was on the cusp of history, going for a record seventh title in Miami and his 100th title overall, trailing only Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. Mensik was going for his maiden title and beat his idol 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4). He fell to the ground in disbelief after the match and then wrote “First of Many” on the camera lens.

He became the second-youngest Miami champion in the tournament’s 40-year history, behind Carlos Alcaraz, who was 18 when he made his Miami Open big splash in 2022.

Alcaraz showed up in South Florida a relatively unknown Spanish teenager with blistering groundstrokes, youthful exuberance, and a daring drop shot. Those who followed the sport closely started calling him “Baby Rafa.” By the time he left Hard Rock Stadium, he was the youngest men’s champion in tournament history and fielding calls from Felipe VI, the King of Spain.

Djokovic and Rafael Nadal also raised eyebrows as teenagers at the Miami Open long before they were household names.

Last year, in addition to Mensik, exciting young players such as Joao Fonseca of Brazil and Alex Eala of the Philippines electrified crowds.

Of course, fans at the Miami Open will be excited to see the sport’s biggest stars, including Djokovic, Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and legend Venus Williams, who was invited as a wild card.

But watch out for those teenagers! Here is a tournament guide with everything a fan needs to know …

2026 Miami Open schedule

The 2026 Miami Open begins with the qualifying rounds on Sunday. Main draw action gets underway Tuesday, March 17.

The women’s singles final will take place on Saturday, March 28 followed by the men’s singles final on Sunday, March 29.

The day sessions will begin at 11 a.m., night sessions start at 7 p.m.

Where is the Miami Open?

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Matches are played across nearly 30 courts throughout the stadium campus, making it the only major tennis tournament held inside an NFL stadium.

Who are the defending Miami Open champions?

— Women’s singles: Aryna Sabalenka

— Men’s singles: Jakub Mensik (CZE)

— Women’s doubles: Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider

— Men’s doubles: Marcelo Arevalo (SLV) and Mate Pavic (CRO)

Miami Open prize money breakdown:

— Winner: $1,151,380

— Runner-up: $612,340

— Semifinal: $340,190

— Quarterfinal: $193,645

— Fourth round: $105,720

— Third round: $61,865

— Second round: $36,110

— First round: $24,335

Where to buy Miami Open tickets?

https://www.miamiopen.com/tickets/

Where can I watch the Miami Open?

— Tennis Channel

Miami Open players to watch

The top two players from both tours are among the former Miami Open champions in the field. ATP No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz won the 2022 title and No. 2 Jannik Sinner was the 2024 winner. WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will return to defend her title while No. 2 Iga Swiatek was the 2022 champion.

Six former Miami Open men’s champions are set to compete in the tournament this year: Mensik (2025), Jannik Sinner (2024), Daniil Medvedev (2023), Carlos Alcaraz (2022), Hubert Hurkacz (2021) and Djokovic (2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016).

At 38, Djokovic will be the oldest player in the men’s field, while 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca is the lone teen among the ATP entries

Others to watch: Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime.

On the women’s side, defending champion Sabalenka is a favorite, along with Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Gauff, Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Elina Svitolina and Jasmine Paolini. Crowd favorites include Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Eala.

Wheelchair Tennis, Padel Tournament at Miami Open

This year’s Miami Open will feature its first sanctioned Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and the inaugural Pro Padel League (PPL) II tournament.

The Miami Open has hosted wheelchair tennis since 2024, but this year marks the first time top players will compete in a sanctioned tournament for official ranking and points. The 2026 Miami Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament will take place from March 25-27.

Pro Padel League (PPL) — the top professional padel league with 10 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico — also makes its debut. From March 15-29, the PPL will host all-day padel programming including professional matches, tennis crossovers, padel clinics and open court times in the Publix Padel Park.

Miami Open theme days

— Women Empowerment Day: March 17 — Panel featuring Kendall Toole, Nastia Liukin, and Sloane Stephens

— Brazilian Heritage Day: March 18

— Hispanic Heritage Day: March 19

— Italian Heritage Day: March 20

— College Night: March 26

— Kids Day: March 28

New food options at the Miami Open in 2026

— Tacos Atarantados: Serving authentic Monterrey street-style tacos.

— Chug’s Diner: Located on the Sunset Terrace by DoorDash, Chug’s Diner will be serving up Cuban-American comfort food and laid-back Coconut Grove vibes.

— The Salty Donut: Artisanal donut and coffee shop, known for chef-crafted, small-batch creations.

— Café La Trova: Cuban-inspired plates and thoughtfully crafted cocktails from James Beard Award–winning chef Michelle Bernstein and acclaimed cantinero Julio Cabrera, offering a taste of Miami’s culinary soul.

— Ophelia: Coconut Grove bakery brings its signature pastries and crafted coffee.

— Barceloneta: A Spanish tapas and gin bar offering Mediterranean flavors, craft cocktails.

— Chevre: Luxury sandwiches, artisanal cheeses, rare charcuterie and the finest caviar by Golden Goat Caviar.

— Cowy Burger: Named Miami’s best smash burger and winner of the 2024 SOBEWFF BURGER BASH “Best Burger” award, serving its signature crispy-edged burgers.

Returning food options at the Miami Open

— Zuma: Chef Rainer Becker’s acclaimed modern Japanese izakaya returns as the tournament’s only full-service, sit-down restaurant located inside Hard Rock Stadium.

— Miami Slice: The Miami favorite known for its artisan New York-style slices, delivering bold flavors with their signature pizzas.

— OMAKAI Handroll Bar: A go-to for approachable Japanese dining, offering hand rolls and curated “entry-level” omakase perfect for both first-timers and sushi lovers.

— American Social: A returning fan favorite serving American classics, craft cocktails and a high-energy social setting between matches.

— Fresh Del Monte Courtside Smoothies: Returning for their third year providing new signature smoothies, fresh fruit, salads and sandwiches.

— siggi’s Parfaits and Snacks: A lineup of fresh yogurt parfaits and grab-and-go snacks, highlighted by the well-known “siggi’s Signature Smash Parfait,” and the addition of siggi’s protein pack yogurt pouch.

— Match Point Arepas by A.N.: For the second year in a row, fans can enjoy arepas and cheese and pizza tequeños, located in the Court 29 Food Hall.

— Parmigiano Reggiano Taste & Play: Unmatched in flavor and crafted through a 1,000-year tradition, this icon of Italian cuisine reveals itself through tastings at different stages of maturation, alongside special dishes created exclusively for the occasion in the Parmigiano Reggiano Taste & Play area.

©2026 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.