Ahead of the 2026 Indian Wells and Miami Sunshine Double, tennis legend Martina Navratilova discusses the rarity of winning both, assesses top players like resurgent Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, praises emerging young talents, and backs Sabalenka to claim the Indian Wells title when the main draw begins March 4.
Navratilova on the Sunshine Double
Martina Navratilova, who turns 70 this year and won the inaugural Miami title in 1985 plus early Indian Wells events, reflects on the rarity of the Sunshine Double—consecutively winning Indian Wells and Miami—a feat by only four women: Steffi Graf (1994, 1996), Kim Clijsters (2005), Victoria Azarenka (2016), and Iga Swiatek (2022).
"Indian Wells, Miami," Navratilova said, "it’s a bit of a schlep. There are a lot of variables, and you lose three hours in the process. It’s hard to sustain through all of that."
She cites deep fields, differing conditions—faster Indian Wells courts with flying balls vs. humid Miami—and the toll of back-to-back two-weekers. Navratilova will analyze the BNP Paribas Open for Sky Sports (qualifying underway) and Miami for Tennis Channel.
Assessing the Top Players
Navratilova highlights Elena Rybakina's resurgence after beating Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the Australian Open final on January 25, rallying from 3-0 down in the third set. Rybakina (12-3 in 2026) faced post-major health issues: illness causing a quarterfinal loss in Qatar and retirement in Dubai. "I’m hoping her immune system is OK," Navratilova said. "She won three matches in Doha... let’s see how she’s feeling in the desert. Right now, if [Elena] Rybakina is fully healthy, they [Sabalenka and Rybakina] are the top two players."
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (11-1 in 2026) won Brisbane but withdrew from Qatar and Dubai after her AO final loss, where she was pre-tournament favorite but couldn't secure a fifth major (now 4-4 in GS finals, including back-to-back AO defeats to Keys in 2025 and Rybakina). She's reached five of the past six Slam finals but lost three. Navratilova noted psychological hurdles: "When you get into that situation, the body kind of does its own thing... It’s so easy to develop scar tissue." But she remains optimistic: "The good news is that she’s getting to Grand Slam finals... The bad news is that she’s lost three of them. I’m sure she can deal with it... she’s going to figure it out." She picks Sabalenka due to her weapons: "You still have to go with [Aryna] Sabalenka because she’s got the weapons."
Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff face tougher matches as foes adapt. "The matches that they used to win easily, they’re now winning sometimes with difficulty … or losing," Navratilova noted. On Gauff's double faults: "The technique is fine. Sometimes it can become mental... I think she’ll get it straightened out."
Amanda Anisimova, 2025 major finalist, has strong strokes but needs to relax and improve mobility.
The Teenage Surge
Navratilova praises standouts: Canada's 19-year-old Victoria Mboko (Doha finalist) is a great athlete with high tennis IQ; American 18-year-old Iva Jovic (13-4, Melbourne QF) is solid and unflappable; Philippines' 20-year-old Alex Eala (Dubai QF) is crafty but needs a bigger serve.
Prediction and Tournament Outlook
Navratilova favors Sabalenka to win Indian Wells, where she's No. 1 seed in a field with Gauff, Swiatek, and defending champion Mirra Andreeva. Sabalenka was runner-up in 2023 (to Rybakina) and 2025 (to Andreeva) and eyes her first title there. Rybakina is a top contender if healthy, potentially matching the men's top duo of Sinner and Alcaraz—unless Gauff and Swiatek rebound.
