After Murray, Djokovic too pulls out of Miami Open
Following Andy Murray, defending champion Novak Djokovic also pulled put of the Miami Masters tournament. Both the world no. 1 and world no. 2 players cited elbow injury as the reason for missing the tournament. Djokovic's withdrawal is the latest setback for a player who has had a drop in form after completing his career Grand Slam, by clinching the French Open last season.
Miami Open : Tournament summary
Miami Open was founded by former tennis player Butch Buccholz in 1985. It is an ATP/WTA 1000 points hard court event held annually at Key Biscayne, Miami. First champions of the tournament were - Tim Mayotte (MS) and Martina Navratilova (WS); and the last edition's winners were - Novak Djokovic (MS) and Victoria Azarenka (WS). The 2017 edition has a prize purse of $6,993,450.
Event schedule
Miami Open will be played from 20 March - 2 April. While the qualifying rounds kick off on 20th, the main draw matches begin on 22nd.
A wide open Women's draw
With Serena Williams missing yet another tournament in a row, the upcoming Miami Open is set for a wide open draw. Despite being the top seed, world no.1 Angelique Kerber continues to have a poor run and is yet to win a WTA title this season. There doesn't seem to be a clear-cut favorite in the Women's Singles, keeping it unpredictable.
Warwrinka the top seed but Federer the favorite
As it stands, the absence of Murray and Djokovic means that world no.3 Stan Wawrinka will begin as the top seed at Miami Open. Wawrinka, fresh off the Indian Wells final which he lost to Federer, will look to reduce the difference in points, on the road to becoming world no.2. With his resurgence in 2017, Roger Federer is the bookies' favorite.
