The Miami Open presented by Itaú is set to take a bold step forward in 2025 with the introduction of the newly minted Publix Padel Cup alongside the highly anticipated return of the Wheelchair Tennis Invitational. This year marks a historic first: both sports will be featured together at a 1000 series tournament, further enriching the already vibrant atmosphere of one of tennis’s premier events.
The Publix Padel Cup, organized in collaboration with RedPADEL, will debut at Hard Rock Stadium from March 27 to 30. As the largest employee-owned grocery chain in the United States, Publix’s sponsorship underscores the growing popularity of padel across the country. This professional padel tournament will see robust participation, featuring 16 Division One Men’s Teams and 8 Division One Women’s Teams, all qualified through the NOVAC WPR Road to Miami Circuit—a tournament series that has already awarded over $65,000 in prize money. The excitement culminates at the Miami Open, where the competing teams will vie for a prize fund of $25,000.
Three state-of-the-art padel courts are being constructed on the Miami Open campus, thanks to a partnership with Padel Lux, a leading supplier of luxury padel courts worldwide. One court will be housed in the brand-new Padel Lounge, where fans can immerse themselves in the world of padel with bespoke clinics and demonstrations. Meanwhile, the other courts will serve as the battlegrounds for a four-day showcase of top-tier padel action.
In addition to welcoming padel, the Miami Open is excited to reinstate its popular Wheelchair Tennis Invitational from March 26 to 28. Last year’s event received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans, and local favorite Dana Mathewson, who recently retired after an illustrious wheelchair tennis career, has been appointed Assistant Tournament Director. With 16 singles titles and 32 doubles titles under her belt and her experience as a three-time U.S. Paralympian, Mathewson is poised to bring her expertise to this significant role.
“This opportunity at one of the biggest tennis events in America is a perfect fit for me,” Mathewson commented. “The timing couldn’t be better since I just retired last November. I’m eager to work alongside Tournament Director James Blake and dive into this new challenge.”
Blake expressed enthusiasm for the additions, stating, “We are delighted to welcome padel to the Miami Open presented by Itaú and host the Publix Padel Cup. It’s fantastic to have Dana on board as our new Assistant Tournament Director. We’re committed to expanding our offerings and look forward to building on last year’s success with wheelchair tennis while integrating padel into our entertainment lineup as its popularity continues to soar in the USA.”
As the 2025 Miami Open approaches, fans can expect not only thrilling athletic performances but also an off-court experience enriched by new restaurants and partner activations, set to be revealed in the coming weeks. From March 16 to 30, the iconic Hard Rock Stadium will transform into a hub of exciting events featuring the world’s best men and women tennis players, as well as the high-energy atmosphere of padel and wheelchair tennis.
For ticket information and to purchase tickets, visit www.miamiopen.com
Photo credit: Miami Open