Miami Open 2026: Former World No. 1 and Grand Slam Champions Lead Mounting Withdrawal List

Thirteen players have withdrawn from the 2026 Miami Open, including former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova and major champions from the Czech Republic.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 8:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365.

Czech Elite Lead Growing Wave of WTA Absences

The WTA draw for the upcoming Miami Open has been notably impacted by the withdrawal of several established champions. Former world number one Karolina Pliskova and two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova have joined 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova on the sidelines. According to tournament updates, the total number of women’s singles withdrawals has reached eight, with Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova also ruled out. These absences have opened the door for several alternates, including Katie Boulter and Simona Waltert, to enter the main draw.

ATP Field Hit by Top 20 Defections

The men’s singles event has not been immune to the attrition, with five players officially pulling out of the competition. World number 18 Holger Rune remains the most significant absence, as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury that also forced him to miss Indian Wells. He is joined by world number 25 Tallon Griekspoor and Spanish professional Jaume Munar. The latest updates also confirm the withdrawals of Lorenzo Sonego and Jerry Shang, leading to the inclusion of alternates such as James Duckworth and Alexander Shevchenko. These shifts will likely result in a redistribution of seedings before the main draw action commences on Tuesday.

Transition to the Hard Rock Stadium

As the Sunshine Double moves from the California desert to Florida, the remaining field faces the challenge of adapting to the humid conditions of Miami. Qualifying matches are currently underway, with the main draw scheduled to conclude on Sunday, March 29. Reigning champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jakub Mensik are expected to headline the field as they look to defend the maiden Miami titles they secured in 2025. Despite the high-profile withdrawals, the tournament remains a critical stop on the calendar, offering 1,000 ranking points to the winners and serving as the final hard-court benchmark before the European clay-court swing.