World no. 2 Rafael Nadal has embraced quite a journey so far in 2020, competing at the ATP Cup and the Australian Open and also visiting Kuwait and South Africa to spread his legacy even more. The 19-time Major champion was the finalist at the ATP Cup with Spain and the quarter-finalist in Melbourne before opening his second Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait.
Two days later, the Spaniard played against Roger Federer in Cape Town in front of 51,954 people, setting the world record and heading back home to Mallorca for some rest ahead of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco that takes place next week.
Rafa will have the opportunity to catch Roger Federer’s Major record at Roland Garros, standing just one (20-19) before the Swiss and looking to match him or even pass him by the end of the season. Nonetheless, Nadal is not obsessed with that GOAT race with Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, doing his best to finish career ahead of both but also accepting the fact he could be third on that exclusive list.
He is trying to play at 100% at every event he enters, chasing some personal goals and hoping to fight for the medal in Tokyo if he stays healthy in the next couple of months. “Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and I have a WhatsApp group, we have been doing the same kind of job for years now and we all love tennis very much; we also have the responsibility to promote our sport in the right way, trying to take care about things that could bring tennis to a higher level.
We don’t joke much about our Grand Slam tally. We all have been doing thins in our way; I would love to finish with more Grand Slams than anybody else but that’s something I’m not obsessed at all. I’m super happy about my tennis career and life would continue if Roger or Novak, or both, finish ahead of me in that race.
In ten years, that will not make my life more or less happier; I’m just trying to enjoy what I’m doing. I don’t like to bet and can’t predict who will finish at the top, I’m part of that process and I don’t care that much.
I’m doing my best to get ready for every tournament in the calendar; Olympic Games are the most important sporting event and I’m hoping to be prepared for Tokyo and be a part of another Olympic Games. I’m excited about it and let’s see how things go by then in the next couple of months. I’m passionate about the entire season, hoping to be able to chase my personal goals.”
Rafael Nadal, Zverev, Kyrgios Return To Action In Acapulco; All You Need To Know
Rafael Nadal leads the charge at the 2020 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, the ATP 500 Tournament of the Year in the 2019 ATP Awards. The Spaniard is a two-time champion in Acapulco, having won the title in 2005 and again in ’13, the last edition held on clay before the switch to hard courts. Nadal, who finished as the year-end No. 1 in 2019, will be playing his first tournament since a quarter-final finish at the Australian Open (l. to Thiem).
Nick Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev are also back in action for the first time since the Australian Open, and they both enter Acapulco as defending champions. Kyrgios completed a dream run — including wins over Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and John Isner — by defeating Zverev in the singles final. Zverev still finished his tournament on a high note, as he came back to win the doubles title alongside brother Mischa Zverev.
Wawrinka and Isner return for the 2020 edition, as well as 2014 champion Grigor Dimitrov. The field also includes #NextGenATP stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur.
Here’s all you need to know about Acapulco tennis tournament: when is the draw, what is the schedule, where to watch, who won and more.
Established: 1993
Tournament Dates: 24-29 February 2020
Tournament Director: Raúl Zurutuza
Draw Ceremony: Saturday 22 February, 2:00pm at the Official Hotel.
Schedule (View On Official Website)
* Qualifying: Saturday and Sunday at 4pm
* Main draw: Monday – Friday from 4pm
* Doubles final: Saturday, 23 February at 6pm
* Singles final: Saturday, 23 February not before 9pm
How To Watch
Watch Live On Tennis TV
TV Schedule
Venue: Acapulco Princess Mundo Imperial
Main Court Seating: 7,000
Prize Money: USD $1,845,265 (Total Financial Commitment: USD $2,000,845)
Tickets On Sale: Buy Now
View Who Is Playing, Past Champions, Seeds, Points & Prize Money Breakdown
Honour Roll (Open Era)
Most Titles, Singles: Thomas Muster, David Ferrer (4)
Most Titles, Doubles: Donald Johnson (3)
Oldest Champion: David Ferrer, 32, in 2015
Youngest Champion: Rafael Nadal, 18, in 2005
Highest-Ranked Champion: No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten in 2001
Lowest-Ranked Champion: No. 129 Juan Ignacio Chela in 2000
Most Match Wins: David Ferrer (32)
2019 Finals
Singles: Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d [2] Alexander Zverev (GER) 63 64 Read & Watch
Doubles: Alexander Zverev (GER) / Mischa Zverev (GER) d Austin Krajicek (USA) / Artem Sitak (NZL) 26 76(4) 10-5
Social
Hashtag: #AMT2020
Facebook: @AbiertoMexicanoDeTenis
Twitter: @AbiertoTelcel
Instagram: @abiertomexicanodetenis
Did You Know… The Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC has been selected by players as the ATP 500 Tournament of the Year for a third time. It previously won the award in 2007 and 2017. The Acapulco tournament enjoyed record attendance in 2019, welcoming more than 55k fans.
