Boris Becker suggests surprise location for a new Masters tournament as he criticizes Miami and says it’s ‘far behind’

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With the first two Masters 1000 tournaments of 2025 out of the way, many are reflecting on an entertaining Sunshine Double.

Two first-time Masters 1000 champions were crowned at Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

British number one Jack Draper won Indian Wells, taking down seeded stars Ben Shelton, Holger Rune, Taylor Fritz, and Carlos Alcaraz on his way to victory.

In Miami, Czech teenager Jakub Mensik stunned Novak Djokovic to win his first Masters 1000 title, having knocked out Indian Wells champion Draper in the second round.

Looking back on the Miami Open in particular, one tennis legend has given a scathing review on the tournament, suggesting a new location for the event.

Boris Becker says the Miami Open is ‘far behind’ other Masters 1000 events and proposes move to Puerto Rico

Appearing on the Becker Petkovic podcast, former world number one Boris Becker responded to rumors that the Miami Open could be sold and named his preferred location for a new event.

“I understand why the tournament must or should be sold,” he said.

“I don’t know yet if it will stay there in Miami because if you beat the tennis heart loudly, I say we need a new place.

“Why not go to Puerto Rico? Why don’t you look for another location to simply carry out a Masters tournament for men and women according to your status?

“Not all Masters 1000 tournaments are equally good. I think Miami is far behind.”

The six-time Slam winner was disappointed with attendances in Florida, and criticised the event’s planning.

“The stadium was half full unless it was played by [Joao] Fonseca or at the final,” said Becker.

“The afternoon events were often empty, even with the ladies, it was not well filled.

“I like the tournament director very much, James Blake, he is not responsible for this.

“But the tournament bosses are perhaps already thinking too much about the sale and care too little about the design, the match schedule, the implementation of the tournament because the spectators have suffered.”

Becker was frustrated with the Miami Open’s decision to move Fonseca’s match onto Centre Court, a switch that interrupted Draper and Mensik’s second round clash.

“It can’t be that you want to see Fonseca [play] on the Grandstand and then have to pay more to get to the Centre Court,” he said.

The German was disappointed with the planning at the tournament, as several rain delays caused disruption in Miami.

“Also the match schedules, which only start at 1 PM,” said Becker.

“Of course, it can rain in Miami in March.

“So you don’t have a plan B at all. That’s not good.

“This was not an advertisement for tennis.”

Which other locations have hosted Masters 1000 events in the past?

Since the Masters Series began in 1990, 12 locations have hosted Masters 1000 tournaments across three continents.

Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Stockholm are the three defunct tournaments, having been replaced by the Madrid Open and Shanghai Masters.

A tenth Masters 1000 event is rumoured to join the calendar by the end of the decade, as Saudi Arabia looks ready to host a big tournament following successes at the Next Gen ATP Finals, WTA Finals, and the Six Kings Slam in 2024.

Riyadh would be the likely host city for a tournament that would become the first event of the Masters 1000 season, taking place in February.

Only time will tell if we will see events in Puerto Rico or Saudi Arabia join the ATP calendar, but it will certainly be something to watch out for.

The top stars in men’s tennis will now head to Monte-Carlo for the third Masters tournament of the year, with action beginning on April 7.