A Miami Open First: Novak Djokovic and Sebastian Korda Do Not Play Scheduled Quarterfinal Match

The Miami Open experienced an unusual occurrence on Wednesday night.  Novak Djokovic and Sebastian Korda were scheduled to be the last match of the day.  However, no one anticipated a series of long matches before it, which would have meant a tentative start time of midnight after the conclusion of the nearly 2 1/2 hour Jessica Pegula three-set win over Emma Raducanu.

The Tennis Channel showed Djokovic talking with his team, and Korda and Djokovic’s team huddled together.  Jim Courier announced after the Pegula and Raducanu match that both players had left the premises.

Wow:

Jim Courier reporting on Tennis Channel that Djokovic and Korda have departed the Miami Open venue due to the late hour, meaning their match won’t be played.

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 27, 2025

There is a relatively new ATP/WTA rule that prohibits late start times.  No one was clear if the rule would be implemented because the tournament has the final say.

Is this an actual rule? Or will it just be ignored? https://t.co/RNy13qUoF5

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 27, 2025

It has to help that the Miami Open tournament director is a well-known former player: James Blake.  If anyone would understand Djokovic and Korda’s situation, he would.

Novak Djokovic has played his share of extremely late matches in his career, so it is somewhat fitting that he benefits from this.  He reportedly had been on the premises and hitting with his coach, Andy Murray, at around 4:30 PM, making it a long day.

The only thing that would make this situation better is if Daniil Medvedev benefits from his rule change at some point in his career.  He is another player who has dealt with way too many late starts followed by quick turnarounds.

Does Postponing The Match Help Novak Djokovic Or Sebastian Korda?

It is hard to know if this helps or hurts Djokovic or Korda.  The humidity was oppressive, which created a somewhat scary scene for Grigor Dimitrov after his three-set win over Francisco Cerundolo.  He was dizzy and not able to leave the court without assistance.

Dimitrov not even doing a post match interview as he’s getting seen by the physio. pic.twitter.com/S9SNkc4sGd

— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) March 27, 2025

Though not as severe but equally scary was Emma Raducanu requiring a doctor to cool her body temperature with ice packs and electrolytes.  Djokovic and Korda will probably get a daytime match where the temperature is higher but the humidity is less.

For Sebastian Korda, it may be a blessing because he had a wrist injury during the Gael Monfils match.  He had to withdraw from doubles with partner Jordan Thompson because of that injury.  He gets a little extra time to deal with it before taking on Djokovic.