Miami, FL – Reigning Australian Open champion Serena Williams has announced that she is withdrawing from BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to a left knee injury.
“Sadly, I have to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open,” said Williams. “I have not been able to train due to my knees and am disappointed I cannot be there. I will keep moving forward and continue to be positive. I look forward to being back as soon as I can.”
“Unfortunately injuries are a part of sports and the player’s health must always be the first priority,” said Miami Open Tournament Director Adam Barrett. “As an eight-time champion we know how much Serena loves playing our event and we hope she is able to get back on the court soon.”
Barrett added, “Starting March 20th we look forward to hosting another world class event with an elite player field featuring each of the top 76 ranked men’s players and 69 of the top 73 ranked women’s players.”
The 2017 Miami Open player field features a combined 12 Grand Slam singles champions including Roger Federer, who claimed his 18th major title at this year’s Australian Open, 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, and three-time Grand Slam champions Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, two-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber and former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro.
Tickets to the 2017 Miami Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or online at www.miamiopen.com. An exhilarating two weeks of tennis, fashion, food and fun conclude with the women’s final on Saturday, April 1 and the men’s final on Sunday, April 2.
Individual session tickets start at just $24 and packages begin at only $136. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the most glamorous event on both tours.
The Miami Open is more than just a tennis event. Located in one of the world’s most beautiful vacation destinations with a diverse fan base and exquisite dining and luxury shopping offerings, the Miami Open has an energy and excitement that is uniquely Miami.
Qualifying rounds will be played March 20-21 and will determine 12 additional slots in each singles draw. The Miami Open will also award wildcards to five men and eight women. The main draw begins on Tuesday, March 21 as the women take the court, followed by the first round of the men’s main draw on Wednesday, March 22.
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2017 Miami Open will be played March 20-April 2 at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 94,000 employees and operations in 19 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, a leading global entertainment agency.
