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.