Rain is already causing havoc at the 2026 Miami Open.
Heavy rain before the tournament began made the Stadium Court unplayable.
All matches on Wednesday, March 18, were subsequently moved to the outside courts.
Unfortunately, as is so often the case at the Miami Open, more rain arrived, highlighting the tournament’s biggest problem.
The Miami Open doesn’t have a roof, which makes rain delays inevitable
Tournament organisers posted the following message on X.
“Match start times delayed,” they said.
“Due to weather conditions, today’s scheduled matches have been delayed.
“Updates to follow.”
Don’t expect that to be the last rain delay update they post this year…
For as much as the Miami Open is the second event of the ‘Sunshine Double’, it experiences its fair share of rain.
On several occasions last year, matches were pushed back and postponed due to the weather.
In fact, the men’s singles final, between Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik, was delayed by nearly six hours.
You may be wondering why they didn’t simply close the roof.
Well, there isn’t one.
The Miami Open is one of the biggest tournaments on the ATP Tour, but it doesn’t have a roof.
Not very helpful when it rains!
This causes problems for players and fans.
For the players, they have to warm up several times, as they try to stay prepared amid delays.
And the fans are left soaked and disappointed, missing out on the day’s action.
Heavy rain isn’t new, nor is it unprecedented, which begs the question: Why don’t they build a roof?
The answer is simple: the Miami Open isn’t held at a permanent tennis venue.
Instead, the Hard Rock Stadium is primarily the home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team.
If they want to build a roof in the future, the Miami Open tournament organisers will have to consult with the Dolphins hierarchy.
For now, the tournament must deal with the rain, but just how much is expected in 2026?
The Miami Open could suffer several rain delays during the first week
Rain is expected on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
That could disrupt the first and second rounds of matches.
2026 Miami Open weather forecast
| Day | Round | Chance of precipitation | Peak temp | Lowest temp |
| Wednesday, March 18 | Men’s 1R, Women’s 1R | 95% | 70° | 56° |
| Thursday, March 19 | Men’s 1R, Women’s 2R | 75% | 76° | 62° |
| Friday, March 20 | Men’s 2R, Women’s 2R | 60% | 75° | 62° |
| Saturday, March 21 | Men’s 2R, Women’s 3R | 0% | 77° | 61° |
| Sunday, March 22 | Men’s 3R, Women’s 3R | 0% | 80° | 61° |
| Monday, March 23 | Men’s 3R, Women’s 4R | 0% | 81° | 61° |
| Tuesday, March 24 | Men’s 4R, Women’s QF | 0% | 83° | 61° |
| Wednesday, March 25 | Men’s QF, Women’s QF | 35% | 81° | 64° |
| Thursday, March 26 | Men’s QF, Women’s SF | 0% | 83° | 64° |
| Friday, March 27 | Men’s SF | 0% | 82° | 66° |
| Saturday, March 28 | Women’s F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sunday, March 29 | Men’s F | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The weather should then improve until quarterfinal day, where there is a projected 35% chance of rain.
Top three matches to watch today
You might need to wait to watch the action unfold in Miami, but there is still plenty to look forward to!
Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones
Looking to prove her doubters wrong, Venus Williams will attempt to win her first match in 238 days when she takes on Great Britain’s Francesca Jones.
The legendary American is in need of a win, having suffered eight straight defeats on the WTA Tour.
- Wednesday, March 18 – Grandstand (Fourth on)
Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady
In an All-American clash, Sloane Stephens and Jennifer Brady will battle it out for a place in round two.
Both players have struggled with injuries recently, with Brady, in particular, only recently returning from a two-year hiatus.
- Wednesday, March 18 – Grandstand (First on)
Who will win the Miami Open in 2026?
Vote now!
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Arthur Fery
Two-time Grand Slam finalist and former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas will take on Masters 1000 debutant Arthur Fery in the first round.
With a second-round clash against Alex de Minaur at stake, you won’t want to miss that one!
- Wednesday, March 18 – Butch Bucholz (Fifth on)
