MIAMI, FL (March 12, 2018) – The Miami Open will bring the heat early, with 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams and five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova playing their first round matches during Wednesday’s day session (Session 3) on March 21, 2018.
Their opponents will be decided at the women’s draw on Sunday, March 18.
The 34th edition of the Miami Open will take place at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne for the final time in 2018. The Miami Open moves to a new state-of-the-art facility at Hard Rock Stadium beginning in 2019.
Williams, an eight-time Miami Open champion, will return to the purple courts after missing the 2017 tournament while preparing for the birth of her daughter. The new mother took the year off, following her record-setting 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open; pushing her past Steffi Graf for most major titles in the Open Era.
Williams has won the Miami Open more than any other tournament in her career, and her eight Miami titles amount to more than any other player in history, male or female.
Sharapova returns to Miami seeking her first Miami Open title. The five-time finalist is used to making long tournament runs at the Crandon Park Tennis Center. The former World No. 1 is one of only six women to achieve the career Grand Slam, completing the sweep at the 2012 French Open.
In 2017, she claimed her 36th career WTA singles title, which ranks third among active WTA players.
With their Wednesday starts, Williams and Sharapova will kick-off an amazing two weeks of tennis featuring the greatest players in the world.
The men’s player field features several Grand Slam singles winners including defending Miami Open champion Roger Federer, who claimed his 20th major title at this year’s Australian Open. The men’s field also boasts the six-time Miami Open champion Novak Djokovic; Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic; and former US Open Champion and crowd favorite Juan Martin del Potro.
On the women’s side, there is no shortage of competition. World No.1 Simona Halep will be challenged by 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki; seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams; 2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys; two-time Grand Slam winner Garbiñe Muguruza and reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
The Miami Open is more than just a tennis event. Located in one of the world’s most beautiful vacation destinations with a diverse fan base and exquisite dining and luxury shopping offerings, the Miami Open has an energy and excitement that is uniquely Miami.
Link to Miami Open Packages, here.
