Special athletes competing at Miami Open

By Harvey Fialkov / Staff writer

MIAMI GARDENS – If recreational tennis players believe the sport is difficult to master, try doing it from a wheelchair.

Well, that’s what these special athletes are doing in the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour this week during the Miami Open, which is hosting the officially sanctioned event for the first time.

The only different rule from professional tennis is the competitors are allowed two bounces to retrieve the ball.

The sport exploded in popularity, going international in 1983 and earning a spot at the Paralympics by 1992. The Miami Open presented by Itaú is proud to host its first officially sanctioned wheelchair tennis tournament, featuring men and women eight-player singles draws as well as doubles, as the sport celebrates its 50^th anniversary.

The semifinals are in action today on Butch Buchholz Court, Court 5 and Court 1.

World No. 1, 19-year-old Tokito Oda is in the semifinals against No. 5 Gordon Reid of Great Britain, while his countryman world No. 2 Alfie Hewitt is in the other semi against No. 4 Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina. Fernandez was ranked No.1 in 2017 and ’19, and has won five Grand Slam singles and five Grand Slam doubles titles.

“Everyone has their own story,’’ said Fernandez, 32, whose disability came when he was 1½ -years old. “I always dreamed to play tennis and to be a professional sport player and that is all my life.”

In the women’s draw the semifinal matchups feature world No. 4 Aniek Van Koot of the Netherlands, the top seed, against No. 8 Zhenzhen Zhu of China; and No. 7 Lizzy de Greef of the Netherlands vs. No. 9 Ksenia Chasteau of France.

Maylee Phelps, a 19-year-old from Orlando, contracted spina bifida and has played since she was 12.

“There was a clinic by my house and originally I didn’t want to go,’’ said Phelps, in the doubles semifinal Thursday with partner Kgothatso Montjane of South Africa. “Once I went, I loved it.”

The finals are on Friday. The wheelchair circuit makes several stops on the professional tennis circuit, including all the Grand Slams and Rome, Brisbane and Munich.

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About the Miami Open presented by Itaú

The 2026 Miami Open presented by Itaú will be played March 15 – March 29 at Hard Rock Stadium. The 15-day event is owned and operated by MARI and Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a WTA 1000 event on the WTA calendar, and annually hosts the world’s best players, with recent champions including the top players in each tour’s rankings – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. In 2025, the tournament attracted more than 400,000 spectators over its 15 days at Hard Rock Stadium. Widely regarded as the most glamorous stop on the ATP and WTA calendars, the Miami Open is defined by the city’s vibrant culture, nightlife, five-star dining and hospitality, iconic beaches, and celebrity appeal, along with its close proximity to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.

About Itaú Unibanco

The largest bank in Latin America, Itaú Unibanco operates in 18 countries and serves more than 70 million customers, including individuals and companies across a wide range of segments. With the purpose of strengthening financial well-being, the bank supports customers at different stages of life by offering solutions tailored to their needs, as well as innovation and information that encourage more conscious decision-making and a healthier relationship with money.

In sports, Itaú has maintained a consistent presence in tennis for 50 years, supporting the development of the sport in Brazil and worldwide across multiple fronts — from talent development to the sponsorship of major international events — as part of its strategy to strengthen customer relationships, build brand relevance, and broaden access to sport.

About MARI 

MARI is a global events and experiences company with a portfolio of some of the world’s most influential live properties across sport, art, lifestyle, and entertainment. From international tennis tournaments such as the Mutua Madrid Open and the Miami Open presented by Itaú to Frieze, a leading voice in contemporary art, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, TodayTix Group’s leadership in digital ticketing, and Barrett-Jackson’s leading collector car auctions, MARI’s portfolio reflects a shared ambition: to deliver live experiences that bring people together, inspire audiences and shape culture worldwide.

About Hard Rock Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium is a global entertainment destination and curator of world-class events. The best-in-class venue is home to the Miami Dolphins, University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the Capital One Orange Bowl, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Miami Open presented by Itaú, major concerts, the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game and FIFA World Cup 2026™. Due to its overall sustainability efforts, the multifunctional venue holds Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation rating. For more information, visit hardrockstadium.com.