Renowned coach Rick Macci tips Jannik Sinner to conquer Miami and secure historic "Sunshine Double"

Rick Macci predicts Jannik Sinner will win the Miami Open and complete the Sunshine Double. Explore why the Florida courts favor the world No. 2.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

The Science of a Surface Advantage

Rick Macci, the acclaimed coach behind the early success of Serena and Venus Williams, has identified Jannik Sinner as the definitive favorite for the 2026 Miami Open. In a recent technical assessment, Macci noted that the specific court conditions at the Hard Rock Stadium favor Sinner’s unique ball-striking ability more than the slower, high-bouncing courts of Indian Wells. According to Macci, the faster surface and lower bounce in Miami provide the Italian with the necessary "time to pounce," allowing him to dictate rallies and overwhelm opponents with his signature baseline depth. This strategic alignment of surface and style is the foundation for Macci’s prediction that Sinner will secure the second leg of the hard-court swing.

Chasing the Rare "Daily Double"

If Sinner prevails in Florida, he will achieve the "Sunshine Double," a feat that has eluded the men’s tour since Roger Federer’s resurgent 2017 season. Sinner enters the tournament with significant momentum after defeating Daniil Medvedev to claim the Indian Wells trophy, his first title in the California desert. Historically, Sinner has shown exceptional comfort in South Florida; he was the Miami champion in 2024 and reached the finals in both 2021 and 2023. Having missed the 2025 edition due to a three-month suspension, the 24-year-old’s return to the event is viewed by many analysts as a "homecoming" to a venue where his game naturally thrives.

A Treacherous Path to the Final

Despite the expert backing, Sinner’s projected draw is filled with high-caliber obstacles. Following an opening-round bye, the second seed is expected to navigate past tactical players like Corentin Moutet and the explosive Andrey Rublev in the early rounds. A potential quarter-final clash with seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime would test Sinner’s defensive capabilities before a hypothetical semi-final rematch against Alexander Zverev. Sinner currently holds a six-match winning streak over the German, including a dominant performance in last week’s Indian Wells semi-final, suggesting he holds a significant psychological edge over the third seed.