Twenty-one star players withdraw from 2026 Miami Open as world number five Lorenzo Musetti joins Novak Djokovic

The 2026 Miami Open faces a crisis as 21 stars, including Lorenzo Musetti and Novak Djokovic, withdraw. Explore the impact on the ATP and WTA draws here.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

A Tournament Shaken by Elite Absences

The 2026 edition of the Miami Open has encountered a turbulent start, marked by both persistent weather disruptions and a rapidly growing list of high-profile player exits. According to tournament updates, the total number of withdrawals across the men’s and women’s singles draws has climbed to 21. The latest blow to the event's star power came late Tuesday evening when ATP world number five Lorenzo Musetti officially pulled out of the competition. This wave of absences leaves the Florida-based tournament without several of its projected top seeds, challenging the depth of the remaining field as the opening rounds get underway amidst heavy rain delays.

The Strategic Pivot for Lorenzo Musetti

For Lorenzo Musetti, the decision to skip the Miami hard courts appears to be a calculated move to protect his physical health ahead of a grueling season. The Italian athlete has struggled to find his rhythm since suffering an injury during the Australian Open quarter-finals earlier this year, where he was forced to retire against Novak Djokovic. After a disappointing early exit at Indian Wells just two weeks ago, Musetti is reportedly shifting his focus toward the upcoming clay-court swing. This transition is vital for the young star, as he holds a significant amount of ranking points from previous clay successes that he must now defend to maintain his position in the global top five.

Djokovic and the Men's Draw Departures

The men’s singles bracket feels the weight of these absences most acutely with the loss of Novak Djokovic, the current world number three and 2025 finalist. The six-time Miami champion opted out of the event following a fourth-round appearance at Indian Wells, leaving a massive void in the upper half of the draw. Joining him on the sidelines is Holger Rune, whose season continues to be hampered by long-term injury concerns. Other notable top-30 players missing from action include Tallon Griekspoor and Jaume Munar, forcing tournament organizers to rely on lucky losers like Jacob Fearnley and James Duckworth to fill the gaps in the competitive schedule.