The 2017 edition of the Mexicano Telcel Open is one of the better ones on paper in some time. Novak Djokovic, who has normally played the Dubai ATP 500 in the past, is coming to Mexico to compete in this event. Although this is a small tournament, this is important for him. He flamed out early at the 2017 Australian Open and there are some concerns about his play dating back to last year. He needs to get back on track. Rafael Nadal will join him, making for an extra spicy experience in Acapulco. Nadal made it to the Australian Open final and appears to be in good enough form to make a run at the French Open, his best grand slam. How he performs here will give us some evidence as to whether the Aussie Open was a one-off or whether he’s on track for a good year.
Crowds should be very pleased to see superstars at their tournament. The tournament directors are hoping the big names will at least be able to make the semifinals. The competition in the 32-player main draw begins on Monday, February 27.
Event Details
Event: Abierto Mexicano Telcel (Mexican Open)
Category: ATP World Tour – 500 Series
Date: February 27-March 4, 2017
Location: Fairmont Acapulco Princess Golf Club and Tennis Resort – Acapulco, Mexico
With a prize money allotment of just under $1.5 million, the 500-point tournament is well worth the time for ATP pros. The earnings are strong, and with Indian Wells one week later in Southern California, the trip from Acapulco is not that long. Players at this event have a much shorter trip compared to the players participating in the ATP 500 event in Dubai.
Points
Champion – 500 points
Runner-up – 300
Semifinal – 180
Quarterfinal – 90
Round-of-16 – 45 points
Former Champions and Results (5 Years)
Year Champion Runner-up Score
2016: Dominic Thiem def. Bernard Tomic, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3
2015: David Ferrer def. Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 7-5
2014: Grigor Dimitrov def. Kevin Anderson, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6
2013: Rafael Nadal def. David Ferrer, 6-0, 6-2
2012: David Ferrer def. Fernando Verdasco, 6-1, 6-2
Player Info:
Novak Djokovic is the top seed. His personal life doesn’t seem to be going well. His mind has been in another place. Acapulco gives him a chance to rededicate himself to tennis and show the killer instinct which has made him such a legendary champion.
Milos Raonic is the second seed. His big challenge is to stay healthy. If he can, he has a great shot at winning a major tournament this year. If Roger Federer could, Raonic can. As long as the body can hold up under punishment, the Canadian has a bright future ahead of him in 2017 and the next three years on a broader level.
Rafael Nadal is the third seed. Having rested by pulling out of Rotterdam, Nadal saved some wear and tear on his knees, a wise decision. He wants to rack up a reasonable amount of rankings points in the coming weeks, but he knows he needs to be especially fresh for the clay season.
Marin Cilic is the fourth seed. He has been drifting on tour in recent months. He needs to generate momentum heading into Indian Wells and Miami.
Dominic Thiem is the fifth seed. As has been written before, he is playing virtually every week and is plainly overscheduling. We’ll see how much fuel he has in the tank when he arrives in Acapulco.
David Goffin is the sixth seed. At No. 10 in the rankings, he gives this tournament six top-10 players, which is notable for the Mexican Open. It’s a rare occurrence. Goffin was the runner-up in Rotterdam, and he’ll try to carry that form to Acapulco.
Nick Kyrgios is the seventh seed. He is looking for a spark to his season.
Ivo Karlovic is the eighth seed. He wants to at least win two matches, play a quarterfinal, and get a chance to win a big match against one of the elite pros in the draw. Anything less would feel like a disappointment for a guy who isn’t expected to win the tournament, but who wants to be challenged.
Fairmont Acapulco Princes
The facility for Acapulco tennis is on the grounds of the Fairmont Acapulco Princess Hotel, a spacious luxury resort dwelling for the tourist population in this always-popular travel destination. The grounds of the tennis resort have eight courts, with the main stadium court seating roughly 6,000 people.
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