The Miami Open has had a very disrupted start to the 2026 tournament.
Rain has been an issue at the Miami Open already this year, completely cancelling play on day two of the main draw.
This is not the first time that the weather has been an issue at the Miami Open, with rain forecast to continue throughout the tournament.
The Miami Open is supposed to be one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar, and they need to make a big change if they want to keep that reputation.
The Miami Open and other Masters 1000 tournaments should need to have at least one roofed court
There are 27 tennis courts at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with 10 of these courts used for matches.
Over $500million was invested into this multisport venue when the Miami Open moved from Crandon Park in 2019, but the tennis courts still do not have a roof.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
This is the seventh year where the Miami Open has been held at the Hard Rock Stadium, and given rain delays it feels like a real oversight not to have a roof on the main Stadium Court.
Although the tournament will still likely be completed given its 12-day format, it means that many spectators will have missed the chance to see their favorite tennis stars due to rain cancelling a whole day’s play.
Having a roof ensures that at least one court can ensure matches will be played, and it could even incentivise fans to buy a ticket for the main Stadium Court, which is surely a positive for the tournament.
Not only is it unfair on the tennis fans, but it is also not fair for the players, with Iga Swiatek even admitting her practices have been tricky at the Miami Open this year due to the rain.
The roof will likely be a big expense for the Miami Open, but surely a worthwhile one in the long-term, particularly if they want to keep their credibility as one of the biggest tournaments on the tennis calendar.
Who are you backing to complete the sunshine double?
Or do you think both Sabalenka and Sinner will win the Miami Open?
How many Masters 1000 tournaments have roofs?
While the lack of roof at the Miami Open is taking many of the headlines at the moment, it is far from the only tournament that has this issue.
In fact, eight of the 12 outdoor ATP/WTA 1000 tournaments do not currently have a roof, with the Italian Open previously promising that they would introduce one for the 2026 event.
The Madrid Open are the most covered of all these tournaments with three roofs, while all three ATP/WTA 1000 tournaments in China have at least one.
| ATP/WTA 1000 Tournament | Does it have a roof? |
| Qatar Open (WTA) | No |
| Dubai Tennis Championships (WTA) | No |
| Indian Wells (ATP/WTA) | No |
| Miami Open (ATP/WTA) | No |
| Monte Carlo Masters (ATP) | No |
| Madrid Open (ATP/WTA) | Yes – three courts |
| Italian Open (ATP/WTA) | No – One promised for the 2026 tournament |
| Canadian Open (ATP/WTA) | No |
| Cincinnati Open (ATP/WTA) | No |
| China Open (WTA) | Yes – main court |
| Wuhan Open (WTA) | Yes – main court |
| Shanghai Masters (ATP) | Yes – two courts |
| Paris Masters (ATP) | Indoor tournament |
Notably, all four ATP/WTA 1000 tournaments in North America, where the weather can often be unpredictable, do not have a single roof.
The Miami Open are now having to compensate for the amount of rain, with a packed schedule on day three of the tournament, including a rare 10am start.
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