World No. 1 Arévalo Eyes Miami Masters Title Amid Messi’s Star Power

Miami, Florida — El Salvador’s top-ranked doubles player, Marcelo “Chelo” Arévalo, will compete for the title at the ATP Miami Masters on Saturday, March 30, 2025, after winning his semifinals match earlier this week. The world number one in doubles aims to add another trophy to his collection alongside Croatian partner Mate Pavic.

Arévalo and Pavic, who recently triumphed at the Indian Wells Masters, are set to face the British duo of Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash, ranked 16th and 17th in the world, respectively. As the number one seeds in the tournament, Arévalo and Pavic are favored to win, drawing on their experience and success thus far.

This upcoming final marks the second consecutive championship match for Arévalo and Pavic, who have recently demonstrated their skill on hard courts. Despite their ranking advantage, they are aware of the potential challenge posed by Glasspool and Cash, especially since they have never faced them before.

“Even though we’ve never played them, we can’t take anything for granted. We need our best serves and synergy to secure the win,” Arévalo said in an interview. The 32-year-old player is focused on maintaining his sense of commitment and pride, aiming to deliver another victory for his country.

Arévalo is on the hunt for his 15th doubles title, seeking his fourth Masters 1000 crown. With two titles obtained alongside Pavic in Cincinnati in 2024 and Indian Wells this year, he is motivated to add another championship to his impressive resume.

Adding to the excitement at the Miami Masters, international soccer icon Lionel Messi attended the tournament on Friday. The Argentine star, living in Florida, was present at the Hard Rock Stadium, causing a stir among fans. Although Messi coincided with Arévalo’s semifinal match, the tennis star did not play that day, as he rested before the final.

Novak Djokovic, who advanced to his own final match, expressed gratitude for Messi’s presence. The Serbian champion defeated Grigor Dimitrov, stating, “It was an honor for him to watch. I felt some pressure to perform well with him there, but it was also a great motivation.” Their meeting in the locker room following the match was a highlight, with Djokovic describing it as an emotional experience.

Djokovic, a six-time Miami Open champion, is set to play against either American Taylor Fritz or Czech Jakub Mensik in the finals. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter in the heart of Florida.