The tight turnaround between Indian Wells and Miami could spell trouble for Draper, who has earned a reputation for physical frailty amid a career-long struggle with injury. At the Australian Open, the 23-year-old played back-to-back five-set matches and then had nothing left in the tank against Carlos Alcaraz as he struggled with hip tendonitis, eventually retiring from their fourth-round match. He took precautions after reaching the final in Doha by pulling out of Dubai to give himself more time to recover. Draper has been gradually building his endurance and strength, but having also struggled with abdominal and shoulder issues over the years, the risk of injury in the back of his mind could keep him from a strong result in Miami.
A player that shines when she’s feeling confident, there are now question marks around Keys ahead of her start in Miami. This is not a tournament where she has historically seen her best results, with a lone quarterfinal appearance in 2016 the furthest she’s gone at what’s essentially her home tournament. The 30-year-old currently lives in Orlando, and she trained at the Evert Tennis Academy in nearby Boca Raton—so she’s literally right at home in South Florida. But she’ll be facing a major mental test in Miami, where she will take the court as the reigning Australian Open champion days after being routed by Aryna Sabalenka—her opponent in that Grand Slam final—in her most recent match. Will she be able to put it behind her and refocus?
Ponder this as a high-octane final between two passionate and versatile competitors who relish the chance to compete in front of large crowds for big rewards. The Florida-raised Shelton is coming off a quarterfinal showing in the desert, where he lost to eventual champion, Jack Draper. Alcaraz was beaten by the red-hot Draper in the next round, ending a two-year reign as the BNP Paribas Open champion. Following that defeat, Alcaraz said, “The last time that I lost here was the semifinal, and after all, I won Miami, so I think I will go for it. I will learn from that match, and I will make the most of myself in Miami.” Alcaraz has won their two prior matches, one in ’23, the other last fall at Laver Cup. With Shelton eager to improve on his 1-2 career record in Miami, a match between these two would certainly be compelling.