ATP Acapulco: The NextGen has finally taken over
As every year, the field of participants at the ATP Tour 500 tournament in Acapulco is exquisite. However: neither Rafael Nadal nor Novak Djokovic are at the start in Mexico this year.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jan 31, 2023, 09:56 pm
What a start to Rafael Nadal's 2022 tennis season: after the success at the preparatory tournament in Melbourne, the Spaniard also won the Australian Open there. And followed it up again in Acapulco. However, there will be no defense of the title: Nadal is known to be injured and is recovering at home in Mallorca.
Novak Djokovic will also be absent in Acapulco, probably also because he will not be allowed to play in Indian Wells or Miami afterwards. And so, if his injured thigh allows it, he prefers to serve in Dubai.
Alcaraz loses number one
Clear the stage for those players who are either currently or until recently still part of the #NextGen. First of all, there is Carlos Alcaraz, who was unable to play at the Australian Open and lost his top position in the ATP charts to Novak Djokovic. Or is Stefanos Tsitsipas, who, as is well known, not yet able to win a tournament in the ATP Tour 500 category, hit the big hour? Or maybe last year's finalist Cameron Norrie?
Casper Ruud and Holger Rune, the two brave Scandinavians, could have something against that. Or the American phalanx, led by Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul. By the way, in figures this means: Seven of the currently 14 best players in the world will serve in Acapulco. Great tennis should therefore be provided for.