Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens headline the list of the Miami Open 2026 wildcard recipients. The season’s next Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament will run from March 17-29. Williams won the first of her three titles here in 1998, and successfully defended her crown a year later.

While Williams was unable to compete in 2000, she made triumphant return in 2001 to claim her third and final title. She also finished as the runner-up in 2010. This will be her 23rd appearance at the tournament. Stephens, meanwhile, captured her first and only WTA 1000 title in Miami in 2018. Neither player has won a main draw match this year.

Taylor Townsend, who advanced to her maiden WTA final in singles at the ATX Open a few weeks ago, received a wildcard as well. Teenagers Emerson Jones and Lilli Tagger were also given an opportunity to prove themselves with a wildcard.

Jennifer Brady, a former Australian Open finalist, was another wildcard awardee. She is rebuilding her career after an absence of three years. Ashlyn Krueger and Darja Vidmanova were the other two wildcard recipients on the women’s side.

On the men’s side, three rising young stars were among the notable wildcard beneficiaries. Teenagers Darwin Blanch, Rei Sakamoto, and Moise Kouame are set to make a direct appearance thanks to a leap of faith from the tournament organizers.

Martin Damm Jr, who advanced to his maiden ATP semifinal at last month’s Open Occitanie in Montpellier, along with Wu Yibing, complete the list of wildcard reciepients for this year’s Miami Open.

Miami Open women’s singles wildcards:

• Venus Williams
• Sloane Stephens
• Taylor Townsend
• Ashlyn Krueger
• Lilli Tagger
• Jennifer Brady
• Darja Vidmanova
• Emerson Jones

Miami Open men’s singles wildcards:

• Martin Damm Jr.
• Darwin Blanch
• Rei Sakamoto
• Moise Kouame
• Wu Yibing

Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens to compete at the Miami Open for the first time since 2024

Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens will return to the Miami Open after a gap of two years. The former lost in the first round to Diana Shnaider in 2024, while the latter was knocked out by Sorana Cirstea in the second round.

Both are seeking to win their first match of the 2026 season. Now that they’re back at one of their favorite venues, they will aim to overturn their dismal start to the season.

Williams has gone 0-5 this year, and recently lost to Diane Parry in three sets in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Stephens has a 0-3 record at the main draw level, and went down to Camila Osorio in the first round at Indian Wells. She did win three matches to qualify for the Australian Open, where she lost to Karolina Pliskova in the first round.