This year’s Miami Open will include an elite wheelchair event and Major League Pickleball, in addition to the regularly scheduled Masters 1000 event, according to organizers.
Wheelchair tennis has been played at all four Grand Slams since 2007, however this will be the first time it has appeared in a 1000 series competition. Pickleball has been included to the list of events since it is popular in the United States. Also read: Paris Masters to move to La Défense Arena in 2025
“We want to continue to build on the festival atmosphere that is now so synonymous with the Open, and we are proud to be the first 1000 series event to showcase elite wheelchair tennis and pickleball athletes to our fans,” James Blake, the director of the tournament, said in a statement.
Pickleball, a high-energy paddle sport with a perforated ball, has its own league in the region and is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. Also read: Australian Open Men’s Final Prediction: Jannik Sinner Vs Daniil Medvedev
Its inclusion may increase its appeal while also expanding the tennis fan base by bringing more people together at a single tournament. The Miami Open runs from March 17 to March 31. Wheelchair tennis events will be place March 26-28, while Major League Pickleball will be conducted March 27-29.