Miami Open 2026: Mass withdrawals and boycott threats overshadow tournament start as elite stars face physical toll

The 2026 Miami Open sees 20 players withdraw as Sabalenka threatens a Dubai boycott. Read more on Djokovic's injury and Alcaraz's fatigue.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Tournament Defined by Vacant Draw Spots

The 2026 Miami Open is facing a significant availability crisis, with a total of 20 players from the original entry list withdrawing from the competition. The casualties include 13 women and seven men, headlined by world number three Novak Djokovic and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Djokovic’s withdrawal, attributed to a shoulder injury sustained during a grueling loss in Indian Wells, has raised alarms among tennis legends like Martina Navratilova. Navratilova expressed concern that at 38, the Serbian star's lack of match play outside of the Grand Slams could hinder his competitive edge for the remainder of the season.

Sabalenka’s Public Standoff with Dubai Leadership

Off the court, the headline story continues to be Aryna Sabalenka’s escalating feud with the Dubai Tennis Championships. Following "ridiculous" calls from the Dubai tournament director for harsher penalties against withdrawing players, the world number one used her Miami pre-tournament press conference to issue a stark warning. Sabalenka suggested that the lack of professional protection for players might lead her to strike the UAE event from her schedule permanently. This potential boycott highlights a growing rift between the WTA's top stars and tournament organizers over the demands of the modern tennis calendar.

Alcaraz Faces Physical and Mental Fatigue

Even for those who have made it to Miami, the physical cost of a relentless start to 2026 is becoming apparent. Carlos Alcaraz, whose unbeaten streak was recently snapped by Daniil Medvedev, has been described as "looking a bit tired" by Toni Nadal. The veteran coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal suggested that the world number one may need to selectively skip upcoming events to preserve his longevity. While Alcaraz remains the top seed in Florida, the internal and external pressure to maintain peak performance has led to a visible dip in the Spaniard's usual high energy levels.