The ‘Sunshine Double’ is here. After an action-frenzy Australian Open, we are into one of the most important months of the tennis calendar. The ATP and the WTA 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami will take place this month. Further, these are one of the most prestigious tournaments after the Grand Slams. Played in California and Florida, respectively. They are popularly known as the ‘Sunshine Double’. But how was this term coined?

The Sunshine Double

This name is derived from the fact that the two 1000 level tournaments are played in extreme climatic conditions. The temperatures in Florida and California soar around 35 deg. C in March. Players have to compete in the sweltering heat during these events. Additionally, given the fact that players have to play consecutive matches each day en route to the finals. It becomes extremely difficult to win these tournaments in such extreme climatic conditions.

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Further, the player who wins these back-to-back tournaments in the same year completes the Sunshine Double. It is an extraordinary feat, and winning the Sunshine Double has even eluded some of the best players in the world.

How many players have achieved this feat?

Only 10 players have managed to win the Sunshine Double to date. Steffi Graff, Kim Clijsters, and Victoria Azarenka are the only women to win the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles in the same year. Steffi Graff is the only woman to have had this honor twice.

Further, in the men’s section, Jim Courier, Michael Chang, Pete Sampras, Marcelo Rios, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have managed to complete the double. Moreover, World Number 2, Novak Djokovic, has won the Sunshine Double a record four times.

Some notable players missing from the list of winning the double include the likes of Williams sisters, Rafael Nadal, Martina Navratilova, and many more. Chiefly, Serena came close to winning both these tournaments in the same year in 1999. However, Venus defeated Serena in the summit clash of the Miami Open to prevent her from creating a double.

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The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells commences on March 10, 2022, with the qualifying rounds. The Miami Open will follow the Indian Wells and will start a week after the BNP Paribas Open.

Will we see a new Sunshine Double winner this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.