Miami Open notebook

By Harvey Fialkov / Staff writer

MIAMI GARDENS –

*THE PLAYERS BOX: The popular podcast hosted by Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jen Brady and Desirae Krawczy recently had Chinese star Qinwen Zheng on as a guest. Zheng  has become more comfortable with English. “I reject three times, and then they are so passionate to me, and they say, ‘Come on, come on. And at the end, I say, Ok.’  I really enjoyed the stay with them,’’ she said.  “I need to find a balance. If I’m on the court competing with them, I need to treat them like the opponent, but outside of the court, they are nice. I just wish things are going well for them, but on court, we are just opponents. I’m still young, so for me, it’s tough to find this balance. So, I’m trying to work on myself.”

*ATP TENNIS IQ : Many ATP players and coaches have been using the ATP Tennis IQ Powered by PIF app to devise strategies for their upcoming opponents. “I’m into the numbers a little bit but just the basic things,’’ said Jessica Pegula. “My coaches do a deeper dive into it. My husband [Taylor Gahagen] puts things in an AI system and spits out a report and doesn’t give it to me expecting to listen. It’s pretty accurate and a cool tool that a lot of people are using.”

*ARYNA SABALENKA FAN: “The craziest one was when [a woman] asked me to sign her passport in the restroom,’’ Sabalenka said. “That was wild. ‘Are you sure, I wouldn’t do that.’  She asked (me to sign) so, OK, whatever, here you are.”

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY I THINK?: Teen BFFs Mirra Andreeva and Victoria Mboko came through juniors together and after one match that the Russian won, they had an interesting exchange . “I just remember I played her in a junior match in the States, and she beat me,” said Mboko. “And the day after, it was my birthday, and then she wished me a happy birthday after she beat me. And I was like, what? But yeah, that’s what I kind of realized. I was like, OK, she’s a nice girl.”  Mboko beat her friend on Monday here in Miami.

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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.