Venus Williams loses match, but inspires peers. Wozniacki advances, speaks out on Halep.

Shnaider said it was a dream come true to play against Williams.

“Growing up I never thought I would have a chance to play such an incredible legend, it means a lot to me,” Shnaider said. “She’s a big fighter and can find a way in any opening to win, so I tried to stay focused and not let my emotions take over.”

Williams was one of three former No. 1 players entered in the Miami Open as wild cards, along with Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Halep.

Wozniacki, a 33-year-old mother of two, was back on the Hard Rock Stadium courts after returning from a three-year maternity leave last summer. A year ago this week, she was at the Miami Open as a TV commentator and caring for her daughter Olivia, who is now two and a half, and her son James, who is one and a half.

On Tuesday, she defeated Clara Burel of France 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the second round.

Like Tiafoe, Wozniacki was delighted to see Williams on the court.

“It’s amazing to see Venus still out there, I mean, she’s 43 years old,” Wozniacki said. “She’s a legend. She’s won so much, and she’s earned the right to do whatever she wants to do. If she wants to play another 10 years, that’s great, and if she never wants to play again, that’s also great.

“It’s such an inspiration to see her playing, and fit, competing against all these youngsters. It’s not easy. It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes.”

Wozniacki was not as thrilled to see Halep get a wild card into the main draw after the Court of Arbitration for Sport recently reduced her four-year drug suspension to nine months. Although she said she likes Halep and always got along with her, she was outspoken about the decision to grant her a wild card. Halep lost her opening match 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Paula Badosa.

“I have always wanted a clean sport, fair for everybody, and if someone, this is not directly at Simona, but if someone purposely cheats, tests positive for doping, it’s my personal belief people should not be awarded wild cards afterwards,” Wozniacki said. “If you want to come back, and it’s been a mistake, I understand. You should work your way up from the bottom. … I’ve always been a very honest athlete, and even taking Tylenol I double and triple check.”

As for her own comeback after a three-year maternity layoff, Wozniacki said she brings a different perspective to her matches.

“I didn’t think I was going to be here again, so for me to be out there competing against the best players in the world is a lot of fun,” she said. “I definitely don’t put as much pressure on myself. My family doesn’t care whether I win or lose. They’re still there and want Mom.”

Finally, Wozniacki offered condolences to world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, whose boyfriend and former professional hockey player Konstantin Koltsov jumped to his death from a Bal Harbour hotel early Monday.

“I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now,” said Wozniacki, tearing up and wiping her eyes. “It’s such a terrible situation, so hard. I reached out to her and told her I was here if she needed anything. I love Aryna. She’s always so happy, and to see her going through that is heartbreaking. Everyone grieves in different ways. I saw she was walking past today and I gave her space, but let her know I am here, we’re here for her.”