Aryna Sabalenka’s third-round qualification at the 2026 Miami Open came with an unexpected twist that shifted attention away from her performance. After being moved off Stadium Court due to ongoing rain delays and scheduling pressure, the world No. 1 addressed the crowd with a message that reflected a clear desire to return to the tournament’s biggest stage.
How Relentless Rain and Storms Disrupted the 2026 Miami Open Schedule
The backdrop to Sabalenka’s comments was a tournament struggling to stay on track. The 2026 Miami Open has faced a chaotic start, with persistent South Florida rain and thunderstorms heavily disrupting the schedule. The issues began on Sunday, March 15, when a complete washout forced the cancellation of all qualifying matches and practice sessions.
This delay created a ripple effect, squeezing qualifying rounds into Monday and Tuesday, both of which were also hit by intermittent rain, causing repeated stoppages and uncertainty. The situation worsened on Wednesday, March 18, as continuous downpours led to the cancellation of all 37 scheduled ATP and WTA matches, bringing play to a standstill.
Stadium Court itself required additional maintenance after heavy rainfall left sections unfit for play, further complicating scheduling decisions and forcing officials into difficult compromises.
One such compromise directly impacted Sabalenka. As the defending champion and top seed, she would typically headline play on Stadium Court.
However, with delays piling up and organizers eager to ensure the high-profile night session match between ATP No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Brazilian rising star João Fonseca began as close to its 7 p.m. local time slot as possible, Sabalenka’s match against world No. 39 Ann Li was moved to Butch Buchholz Court, the third-largest venue on site.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Reaction to Her Unexpected Court Switch
On court, Sabalenka remained composed and delivered under pressure, edging a tight first set in a tiebreak before closing out a 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Li. Speaking directly to the crowd in a post-match on-court interview, the Belarusian tennis star said, “I enjoyed playing in front of you all but I really hope to get the Center Court next time and I really hope that all of you can come and watch me there.”
Looking ahead, Sabalenka advanced to the third round, where she will take on local player Caty McNally in what will be their first meeting on the WTA Tour.
