Tennis

Acapulco's Mexican Open Venue Submerged After Hurricane John's WrathThe picturesque GNP Arena, the annual host of the prestigious Mexican Open tennis tournament in Acapulco, has fallen victim to the devastating effects of Hurricane John. After four relentless days of torrential rainfall, the tournament site has been inundated with floodwaters, leaving the city grappling with mudslides and a grim aftermath.Hurricane John, which peaked as a Category 3 hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm, has claimed at least 22 lives and left behind a trail of destruction. The storm's relentless downpour has resulted in over a meter of floodwater, isolating the city and rendering the tournament site inaccessible.Heartbreaking images circulating on social media depict the extent of the flooding, with Estadio, Grandstand, Court 1, and the surrounding areas submerged. This marks the second consecutive year that the Mexican Open venue has been ravaged by a hurricane.In October 2023, Hurricane Otis left the tournament site and Acapulco in a similar state of disarray. As the costliest storm in Mexico's history, Otis struck the state of Guerrero as a Category 5 hurricane, claiming 52 lives.Despite the devastation, the ATP 500 event proceeded as scheduled thanks to a massive cleanup effort led by Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. In February 2024, Alex de Minaur emerged as the two-time champion.As of now, tournament organizers have yet to issue an official statement regarding the current situation. However, a few weeks ago, the organization confirmed the 2025 dates for the Mexican Open, scheduled from February 24 to March 1. Standard renovation efforts in the food and commercial areas of the venue were also announced.While these improvements are likely on hold, top players such as Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Tommy Paul have already committed to participating in the Mexican Open next year. The tournament's fate remains uncertain, but the resilience of the Acapulco community and the determination of the organizers give hope that the event will once again grace the tennis calendar.

Alex de Minaur has etched his name in the history books of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, becoming only the fourth player to win the title in consecutive years. The Australian's triumph over Casper Ruud in the 2024 final marks his second consecutive victory at the tournament, following his success in 2023.De Minaur's victory is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite entering the tournament with doubts about his form, he gradually found his rhythm and played his best match in the final. His ability to break Ruud's serve in crucial moments proved decisive, as he secured the victory in one hour and 57 minutes.The Australian's triumph in Acapulco is a significant milestone in his career. It is the first time he has successfully defended an ATP title, and it elevates his total ATP title count to eight. De Minaur's previous ATP 500 victory came in Acapulco in 2023, while he has also claimed six ATP 250 crowns.De Minaur's victory is not only a personal triumph but also a boost for Australian tennis. He is now the highest-ranked Australian player on the ATP Tour, sitting at No. 10. His success in Acapulco will provide inspiration for aspiring young players in his home country.While De Minaur celebrated his victory, Ruud also had reason to be proud of his performance in Acapulco. The Norwegian reached his 20th ATP final, his first at the ATP 500 level. His run to the final will see him return to the Top 10 of the ATP rankings, rising from No. 11 to No. 9.The 2024 Acapulco tournament showcased the depth of talent on the ATP Tour. De Minaur's victory and Ruud's impressive performance are a testament to the competitive nature of the sport. As the ATP Tour moves on to Indian Wells, fans can expect more thrilling matches and captivating storylines.