- A new edition of Tennis Talks! premiered with Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul and Mexican diver Alejandra Orozco as the protagonists of an in-depth talk to learn all about their life and preparation.
Acapulco, Guerrero, February 22, 2025.- The Tennis Talks! concept has become a tradition within the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC, and returns in the XXXII edition to offer fans the opportunity to learn details about the personal lives of athletes, anecdotes and secrets about their development in the sport.
Hosted by journalist Rebeca Landa and inside the GNP Seguros Arena complex, in front of dozens of children and young people who practice the sport, as well as fans attending the first day of qualy, the Norwegian Casper Ruud was in charge of opening the conversation by recalling what it was like to face Rafael Nadal in a Roland Garros final.
“I didn’t handle it as well as I wanted to, but I did what I could. That was a great year, with great finals. Losing to Rafa was nothing to be ashamed of,” said Ruud.
Pedro Clar, tennis player and part of his coaching team, accompanied him in the talk and recalled how he lived that final after growing up with Rafa, both from Mallorca.
“It was a very special but difficult moment for me as I grew up with him. I talked to him and his team about the emotional issue and he told me that we were all professionals and we had to give the maximum. It was a success for the Academy,” he said.
The world No. 5 also shared what it was like to surpass the ranking that his father, who was a professional tennis player, reached.
“When I broke his record it was a great moment for me, but also for him because he is my coach and from there we went in the same direction and everything I achieve is part of his success,” he exposed.
“Thank you all for coming, I will give my best during the week and if I reach the final again I promise to speak in Spanish,” added Ruud before answering several questions from the audience with various tips for concentration and to enjoy his profession.
Then it was the turn of a chat with World No. 9 Tommy Paul, who revealed details of what it was like to win bronze in Paris 2024.
“Every time I can go to represent my country I will, nothing can compare to the Olympics. We played great tennis that week, we lost in the semifinals but we grew together. Fritz can be stubborn and we just tell him we will do what he wants and that works,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of the friendship with Taylor Fritz and other compatriots like Reilly Opelka as they grew up and developed together, after he was shown a photo of him as a teenager with them.
The American made his debut inside the Top 10 this 2025 and mentioned: “It was a dream, I’m happy. Now I’m focused on a new goal, I want to be Top 5, I want to win a Masters 1000”.
He also shared that Super Bowl week was big for him as a loyal Philadelphia Eagles fan and that attending the conference final is the best sporting event he has ever been to.
The third and final talk came from Mexican diver Alejandra Orozco, the first non-tennis athlete at Tennis Talks!
“We also train a lifetime for a moment that defines everything, that’s how sport is and there is a lot to learn from each other. I came to the sport by chance, in my family no one practiced, we think we have to have it in our blood and it is not so,” she said.
The double Olympic medalist shared all the details of her development and 20 years into her career, she assures that she has no regrets. She showed off her medals in front of the lucky people present at sunset on the first day of activities at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC.
