Miami Open to Include Wheelchair Event and Major League Pickleball for the First Time

Inclusion of Pickleball Sparks Controversy Among Tennis Fans

The Miami Open will feature an elite wheelchair event and Major League Pickleball this year, alongside the regularly scheduled Masters 1000 event.
Wheelchair tennis has been played at all four Grand Slams since 2007 but this will be the first time it is included in a 1000 series tournament.
Pickleball, a fast-paced paddle sport with a perforated ball, has its own league in the region and is the fastest-growing sport in the United States.
The inclusion of pickleball in the Miami Open has sparked controversy among tennis fans, with some expressing their displeasure on social media.
The 2023 Pickleball Slam saw participation from American tennis legends, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and Michael Chang, and attracted a viewership of 237,000 adults under the age of 50, surpassing the viewership of 13 nationally televised MLB, NBA and NHL games.