The legends of the Sunshine Double
Images courtesy of Miami Open and BNP Paribas Open
Celebrating the winners of one of tennis’ most coveted titles.
Winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back is a rare and defining achievement in tennis. The ‘Sunshine Double’ demands adaptability, endurance, and skill to conquer the contrasting conditions of the California desert and Miami's humid heat. Only an elite group of players have done it: legends Steffi Graf, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer among them. As of 2025, Laykold is honored to become the first-ever court surface for both tournaments.
The ultimate test of tennis mastery
Indian Wells and Miami aren’t just prestigious, they are grueling tests that push even the best players to their limits. The ability to win both requires mental toughness and physical endurance. Those who handle the relentless schedule, climate shifts, and high-quality opposition often emerge as the sport’s dominant figures for the rest of the year.
Only seven men and four women have conquered both events, proving that success demands adaptability across different court conditions and top-tier opponents. With 96-player draws in each tournament, champions must endure nearly a month of high-stakes tennis. Unlike Grand Slams, where recovery time is longer, Sunshine Swing winners have mere days between events, making for a punishing schedule.
10 of the 11 Sunshine Doubles winners reached No. 1
Of the 11 players to achieve the Sunshine Double, 10 have won Grand Slam titles and reached world No. 1. In nine of the 17 years it was achieved, the winner had already made the Australian Open final or won it, proving their early-season dominance.
These tournaments also serve as a springboard for career breakthroughs. Iga Swiatek (Sunshine Double, 2022) and Carlos Alcaraz (Indian Wells, 2023) leveraged their Sunshine Swing success into No. 1 rankings. Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, and Taylor Fritz similarly turned strong performances into defining seasons.
Sunshine Double greats from Agassi to Swiatek
Tennis greats who have won the Sunshine Double include Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi (who won it in 2001, the same year he married dual Sunshine Double winner Steffi Graf), Kim Clijsters, and Swiatek, who joined the club at just 20 years old.
“Just as the greats who have won these events have adapted to their surroundings, Laykold has demonstrated its ability to tailor and deliver surfaces to each tournament’s specific needs.”
Graf, Federer and Djokovic famously do the Double more than once
Multiple Sunshine Double winners are true sporting legends: Steffi Graf (1994, 1996), who also won three other Grand Slams in her second Double year, Roger Federer (2005, 2006, 2017), whose victories bookend his career, and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016), who returns to Indian Wells in 2025.
Beyond skill, the Sunshine Double demands resilience and elite fitness. Players must adjust from Indian Wells’ dry, high-bouncing courts to Miami’s humid, often heavier conditions, all while battling world-class opposition. That’s why winning both remains one of tennis’ toughest feats.
As Miami Open Tournament Director and former ATP No. 4 James Blake puts it: “Miami has a reputation as a ‘5th Slam’ because it has one of the biggest prizes, it’s one of the biggest tournaments and events, and it’s a feather in anyone's cap to claim that title.”
Could 2025 produce the next Sunshine Double?
Federer was the last man to achieve the Sunshine Double in 2017, while Swiatek was the last woman in 2022. Could 2025 deliver another?
Swiatek has already proven she can win both, Aryna Sabalenka is arguably the best hard-court player in the world, and Coco Gauff has the firepower to challenge, though consistency remains a factor. On the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz is the top contender, while Alexander Zverev could pose a real threat. Djokovic, despite his past dominance, may find the physical toll too great to attempt another Double at this stage.
Laykold, the newest name in the Sunshine Double
For the first time in history, both Indian Wells and Miami Open share the same court surface. Just as the greats who have won these events have adapted to their surroundings, Laykold has demonstrated its ability to tailor and deliver surfaces to each tournament’s specific needs.
The result is a more consistent experience for players, trusted by champion-turned-Tournament Directors (Tommy Haas at Indian Wells, James Blake in Miami) and optimized for peak performance. Indian Wells saw the success of Laykold courts at the U.S. Open and Miami Open and opted for the same precision. Now, with no variations in pace or bounce, players can expect uniform court conditions tailored to both events.
Both tournaments chose Laykold for its ability to customize surfaces to location-specific needs. Laykold courts are engineered for superior consistency across different climates, minimizing variations in ball bounce and speed, which is critical for high-performance play. Laykold also integrates sustainability efforts, recycling tennis balls into its surfaces, reducing waste, and using best-in-class UV protection for optimal durability.
The BNP Paribas Open is set to take place March 2nd to 15th, 2025 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Miami Open takes place March 16th – 30th, 2025 at the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.