- A new edition of Tennis Talks! was held and fans were able to learn more about Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz, as well as Acapulco champion Alex de Miñaur.
Acapulco, February 27, 2024.- In in-depth talks with some of the protagonists of the XXXI edition of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, some lucky fans were able to learn details about the personal life, anecdotes and way of thinking of tennis players such as Taylor Fritz, Alex de Miñaur, Mexican Santiago González and the young American sensation Ben Shelton.
The 21-year-old player was in charge of opening the talk with the theme ‘Dealing with attention’. Hosted by journalist Carolina Guillén and in front of dozens of children, young people and even parents of teenagers who practice the sport, Shelton confessed how he has felt after his great performance at the US Open 2023, when he reached the semifinals in his first year as a professional. Springboard to success or more pressure?
“There have been big changes in my life since New York, but I had to deal with a lot of attention since Australia where I got to the quarterfinals. I don’t know if I feel like another player, just a little different. But the basics of my game are the same, I have evolved, I feel better as a player. As a person I feel different but I am the same at heart. It was a step forward. Tennis is a mental game and the more confidence you have the better. I don’t see tennis as having a great result and then having pressure. You have to use those great results as opportunities.”
He also gave details about what it’s like to be coached by his father, former tennis player Bryan Shelton, who is in Acapulco with him.
“We have a great relationship, but the dynamic is difficult because sometimes it’s complicated for kids to listen to their parents, but he does a very good job, I don’t even notice when he speaks as a coach or a parent.”
However, the most profound answer the No. 17 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings gave was about his ultimate dream.
“One of my big dreams is to be able to talk to other people about my experience of being a professional and to be able to help many. It’s not easy and there are a lot of things to do. Everyone has their path and their skills and you don’t have to be like others. Give advice on how valuable it is to be unique.”
The fun part came at the end when in quick questions he revealed that his guilty pleasure is Netflix “I love watching movies and not thinking about anything, not being active”, his favorite food is tacos, he loves watching basketball, he prefers the snow, and his friends on the tour are Christopher Eubanks and Emilio Nava.
Then it was time to welcome one of the best Mexican tennis players in history. Santigo Gonzalez talked about his career, how he decided to focus on doubles, the workings of finding a steady partner, but above all we got to know him better as a result of the breakdown he gave about the importance of his family to support his career at the age of 41.
“My thing is to be with my family. I don’t need to be alone as much as they need their dad’s presence,” he confessed about traveling with his two children and his partner throughout the tour, a decision they made last year to raise their children this way. At the end, like every guest, he answered questions from the audience.
The third visitor was Alex de Miñaur, who is looking to defend his AMT title he won in 2023, now that he has had time to acclimate to the conditions on Mexican soil.
“I told myself that I shouldn’t worry about a match this year and face Acapulco,” he shared about his first-round loss at the Los Cabos Open after arriving from Rotterdam where he contested the final.
“The biggest motivation I have is that I want to get the most out of myself. To finish my career, to be able to sit on a couch and know that I gave the maximum, nothing I could have done better, every day I get up is what I try to do, give it my all, no excuses,” he added about his mental work.
“I’m at my best but I’ll keep going,” added the Australian.
“My thing is to be with my family. I don’t need to be alone as much as they need their dad’s presence,” he confessed about traveling with his two children and his partner throughout the tour, a decision they made last year to raise their children this way. At the end, like every guest, he answered questions from the audience.
The third visitor was Alex de Miñaur, who is looking to defend his AMT title he won in 2023, now that he has had time to acclimate to the conditions on Mexican soil.
“I told myself that I shouldn’t worry about a match this year and face Acapulco,” he shared about his first-round loss at the Los Cabos Open after arriving from Rotterdam where he contested the final.
“The biggest motivation I have is that I want to get the most out of myself. To finish my career, to be able to sit on a couch and know that I gave the maximum, nothing I could have done better, every day I get up is what I try to do, give it my all, no excuses,” he added about his mental work.
“I’m at my best but I will continue,” added the Australian.
He also revealed whether he loves or hates tennis taking as a reference the confessions of a legend like Andre Agassi.
“My relationship with tennis is complicated, I play because I love it and since I was a kid I knew I wanted to do it but what calls me most is the competition. Victory is the best feeling in the world, I love to see the work, the sacrifice and the hours that are put in.”
Finally, Taylor Fritz gave details about his training routine, hobbies and reflects on the ingredients needed to have a career that has led him to be America’s No. 1.
“It’s 30% hard work and another 40% talent, 10% luck in the draw and 10% having that time to relax and being sure you’re mentally ready for each tournament,” he assures.
“It’s a long season and if you want to be among the best you have to be at your best every week, it’s a lot physically and mentally, it’s hard to be consistent.”
Surprisingly eliminated in the first round in Acapulco, the talk was focused on his best moments, where he recalled all about his triumph in Indian Wells and how his father once told him he was going to win it when he used to go as a
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