January 15 has come and just as well, the first Grand Slam of 2018, the Australian Open. The world’s best tennis players will be able to significantly change their position in the ATP ranking.

Last year Australia gave us a dream final that set Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal, where the swiss managed to crown himself after a 3 hour and 38 minute game that ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6 and 6-3.

Federer got his fifth Australian Open and this 2018 he’ll try for the sixth. Of course, he’ll have in Rafael Nadal a formidable obstacle in his path to the title. In addition to Dimitrov, Zverev, Thiem, Cilic, Juan Martin del Potro and one of this tournament’s most frequent winners: Novak Djokovic. While his physical health is in doubt, he is always a very important rival.

Juan Martín del Potro just climbed two positions in the ranking and placed himself in the number 10 spot, so there’s a good chance he will arrive in the tournament with an extra boost.

This tournament stands out due to the participation of the NextGen, the responsibility and the importance they share of transcending in 2018. Alexander Zverev is the one who carries the baton because at his young age he’s already occupying a privileged position in the ranking, 4th.

In the women’s side, after dropping out from the tournament for not being at the most optimal level, Serena Williams leaves her crown vacant and leaves the ‘responsibility’ to players like Simona Halep, number one in the world, Caroline Wozniacki, second in the world, or Garbiñe Muguruza, Wimbledon champion in 2017, who are looking forward to making the first bit step of the season.

The curtain has been raised on this year’s Grand Slams and the tennis world elite is already in Australia to give us an unforgettable tournament, where fans are already crying out for another header between Nadal and Federer.

If we talk about young people with a future, it’s necessary to mention a young man who left us speechless while admiring his style that ended up giving him victories in important tournaments. His name is Alexander Zverev, a german tennis player who has the future of tennis in his hands.

Son of the tennis players Irina and Alexander Zverev Sr, Sascha was trained first by his mother, of whom Alexander has inherited a skill which has been infallible in the court: his backhand, which is known as one of his best weapons, because it is one of the most powerful in the circuit.

“When I was younger I relied on her guidance. Hence my technique. My backhand, in particular, is 100% to my mom’s credit,” said the younger Zverev during an interview.

His parents acknowledge the high level that the youngest of their children has reached. Even before the question “which of your children is the best in tennis?”, the answer is clear, and the father attributes Alexander’s success to the current time. Consider the fact that Sascha began his career when the “Fantastic Four” already existed, which is an advantage, since he’s always pushing himself to beat them.

He is not the only one who recognizes the great level and quality of the younger Zverev in tennis. Rafael Nadal spoke of the young german when he faced him in the third round of the 2017 Australian Open. Before the microphones, the spaniard acknowledged that Alexander Zverev is “the present and future of tennis”. In that match the spaniard managed to win, but took the upset in the first set by the german.

Alexander Zverev was the surprise/break-out of 2017; at the age of 20 he managed to reach the final of the Italian Open, where he defeated Djokovic and won his first Masters title. He kept notching excellent results in the Canadian Open, which he also won, and in November he reached the ATP’s number three spot.

He managed to close the year in the number four spot in the world, so going forward in 2018, he’s expected to keep demonstrating why there are so many hopes placed on him to be one of the circuit leaders for several more years.

Winner of two Masters 1000 in 2017, Sascha must be itching to go for one of the most important trophies: a Grand Slam, one of his pending goals, but because of his level, he seems to be very close indeed.

In February, Alexander will step on the courts of Acapulco to try to conquer the Guaje de Plata and thus have a promising start for the rest of 2018. What are his true options in the AMT? In a couple of months that question will dissipate.

Mischa and Alexander Zverev were picked to be the siblings that would dominate world tennis. But the eldest, Mischa, was plagued by injuries, causing him to drop to the 67th place in the World Rankings. Wrist injury, herniated disc and rib fracture were the “nuisances” that plagued Mischa in 2015.

The German’s family knows no other craft besides tennis. And Mischa, who in the eyes of anyone should have retired due to injuries, has not done so. He relies on inspiration from his younger brother, Alexander, who is better positioned in the ranking.

“A big factor [to go back] was my brother because he pushed me and made me work hard again and to try to give the best I had. He is doing very well in recent years and I did not want to be left behind.”

Mischa’s best position in the ranking was 45, he got that in 2009. He always wanted to overcome that spot and he succeeded: this year (2017) he closed out at number 33. Also in January he defeated the number 1, Andy Murray. A tennis player with no titles knocked out the very best. Classic David versus Goliath.

Mischa made history. He became the player with the worst ranking to beat a first place. Thirteen years have passed since Marat Safin defeated Andy Roddick. Marat was 86th due to injuries but it was not a spot he was supposed to occupy since the Russian tennis player was an elite tennis player.

In the Australian Open 2017, the first Grand Slam of the year, the Zverev brothers got into the third round, something that had not occurred since 1998 when the Byron brothers and Wayne Black were placed among the tournament’s Top three.

The oldest of the Zverevs is one of the tennis players among the top 50 without a title, but that has not prevented him from competing. Although his younger brother has been picked to become the number 1 in the world, Mischa does not shrink away and keeps playing tennis.

When the injuries did not go away, Mischa traveled along with two young 18 year old tennis players that were getting started. As a result, he realized that he wanted to return to the sport and that’s where the improvement began. “Training young people helped me to see how beautiful tennis was, how important it is and how much I missed it while injured. It made me work harder.”

In 2018, Mischa will visit Acapulco with his brother to compete in the Mexican Tennis Open. This tennis family travels everywhere, including the dog. That’s why, says the eldest Zverev, they never miss each other because everyone travels together.

• The Tennis Open WTA (women’s) tournament gets the players’ vote for the eleventh time, recognized as the best of its category in 2017.
• This recognition joins the one granted by the ATP World Tour players (male) as best ATP 500 tournament of the year.

• It is the second tournament that, having male and female players, receives in the same year both prizes awarded by the ATP World Tour and WTA.

Mexico City, December 5, 2017.- While the Telcel Mexican Open (TMO) presented by HSBC, works on the preparations for the 2018 edition, which will celebrate the tournament’s 25th anniversary, the good news, awards and congratulations continue to pile up in Acapulco thanks to the quality brought to the event in the recently concluded 2017 season.

Just a couple of weeks after receiving the award for Best ATP 500 Tournament from the ATP World Tour, the TMO was voted and chosen by the WTA Tour players as the Best WTA International Tournament of the year.

After winning the same prize in 2013, the WTA changed its format in 2014 and divided its categories by regions, which made it possible for the TMO to win America’s Best WTA International Tournament award for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 and 2016). Nowadays, the highest body of women’s tennis has reduced its awards to four categories: WTA Premier Mandatory (BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells), WTA Premier 5 (Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome), WTA Premier (Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart) and WTA International (Abierto Mexicano Telcel, presented by HSBC, in Acapulco).

In this fashion and with a new award under the belt, the TMO will add an eleventh recognition by the WTA since its integration to the WTA Tour in 2001, and also becomes only the second tournament so far that, having male and female participants, receives in the same year prizes awarded by both the ATP World Tour and WTA.

Previously, the only tournament that had won awards in both circuits during the same year was Indian Wells (Masters 1000 and Premier Mandatory).

“Ever since we incorporated the women’s tournament into the TMO in 2001, our relationship with the WTA and the players has been spectacular,” said Raul Zurutuza, Mexican Tennis Open director. “The tennis players and the WTA representatives enjoy the quality of the event, the public’s welcome, and the hand-to-hand experience they have with the mexican culture. On behalf of Grupo Pegaso and as tournament director, I am very grateful for having chosen us once again as the year’s best WTA International.”

On the Road to 25 Years

With the 2017 season officially concluded, the Mexican Tennis Open is finalizing the details on how to celebrate its next edition in 2018 within the framework of its 25th anniversary, and with the recently obtained awards, Zurutuza says that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for the tournament he has managed successfully since 1993.

“It was a very special year for the Mexican Open. From the start we set out to put together an unforgettable tournament and today I can say with great pride that we achieved it. The awards we have received in these recent weeks are a recognition of the effort of the organizing committee, all the hours delivered by staff and volunteers, the sponsors’ support and, above all, the fans’ loyalty,” said Zurutuza.

“But 2017 is now behind us and today we are already working on our next edition. Did we set the bar very high? Yes, but it is precisely these challenges that motivate all those involved to improve ourselves year after year, and I am sure that the TMO 2018 will be the beginning of a chapter with many achievements to come. “

To be the very best in the world you need to be surrounded by the best; Rafael Nadal has been since the day he was born. Toni Nadal, his uncle, has been coaching him since Rafa got his first racket.

Toni Nadal was born on February 21, 1956 in Manacor, Spain. He always wanted to be a tennis player, started playing in a small club in his hometown. He tried to study History and Law, but he never finished. His dream was to be a tennis player.

When he became a coach he dreamed that a tennis player he trained would one day become the best in Spain. Years later he got it. Antonio Nadal Homar’s method is simple, he even defines himself as an enthusiast of austerity and minimalism. Less is more. That is the path that led Rafa to be the best in the world.

The road that Toni and Rafa have walked together can hardly be equalled, 27 years and 75 titles. Toni, the coach, takes himself as being more strict than gentle. To Rafa he’s always conveyed a feeling of dissatisfaction, maybe that’s why he has never been satisfied. Even Toni has declared that Federer is the best tennis player in the world.

Without a doubt, this duo made history, and I say “made” because Toni has officially announced his retirement. He wrote on November 20:

“The Masters Cup of this last week has been the finishing touch to my career as coach of my nephew Rafael. I conclude a happy stage of 27 years that began the day when the 3 year old son of my brother Sebastian entered my tennis court. Today I leave your side but my path does not end here. I will continue to be linked to tennis because my enthusiasm and love for this sport, fortunately, remain intact.”

In 2018 we will see another Nadal. No longer will the great Toni Nadal who fulfilled his dream, coach the best tennis player in the world. Toni, the motivator, the one who did not compromise and passed that on to his nephew. The coach who inhibited the pain of the best Spanish athlete: Rafael Nadal has played with chronic pain in his foot since 2005.

The retirement comes about because Toni wants to be with his children and his wife, so much travelling can wear you out and we understand. Being behind the best tennis player in the world must not be easy. Natali, as Rafa calls him, does not leave tennis altogether; he will keep coaching kids from his native Manacor.

To close out the year, the ATP Finals was held, where the top eight tennis players of the world meet, as chosen by their ATP ranking. The 2017 edition was attended by: Federer, Dimitrov, Zverev, Nadal (replaced by Pablo Carreño due to injury), Goffin, Thiem, Sock and Cilic. Tennis players that began to show their talent since last Monday at London’s O2 Arena. Although there were some big absences due to injury, there was indeed a magnificent tournament.

This tournament’s revelation was the champion himself, Grigor Dimitrov, ranked number six in the world, he reached his first ATP Finals. Depleted by the pressures of the game, he did not look like anyone’s favorite but made his way among the best in the world nevertheless.

In the group stage the bulgarian beat his opponents, the number four Dominic Thiem, Goffin and Pablo Carreño. Undefeated, he reached the semifinals, where he faced Jack Sock; the american was no walk in the park, but Dimitrov gave us a preview of his level and surpassed him. He had a bad start, but after he turned it around, the final scores were 4-6, 6-0 and 6-3.

The final was like a dream, he got it, he kept his undefeated streak. In the final he met an old acquaintance, Goffin, a tennis player already defeated in the group stage, but now things promised to be more difficult. Both gave an extraordinary performance this Sunday, the final scores were 7-5, 4-6 and 6-3, enough for Dimitrov to win title. Thus he becomes the first man in 19 years to win the ATP finals in his debut.

That was not the only prize he took home. With this victory, Grigor Dimitrov raised £ 1.9 million in cash prizes for staying undefeated in the tournament: three games in the group stage, in addition to the semifinal and the final. Moreover, he will finish the year with an excellent world record, since he will climb up to the number three spot, thanks to his title victories in Brisbane, Bulgaria, Cincinnati and, of course, the Nitto ATP Finals.

“I think throughout the whole week, I’ve been keeping a good level. Yeah, I knew that David is going to try something new. He had to be aggressive in order so he doesn’t let me play my game,” said Dimitrov after becoming champion.

So a new edition of the ATP Finals comes to an end, this time with a surprise and a new chapter for the champion.

The Mexican Open will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a present in advance. And that’s because yesterday it was announced that, for the second time ever, the Mexican Open was chosen as the Best ATP World Tour 500 Tournament of the year.

In 2007, the ATP World Tour recognized Mexico with the best tournament award in the ATP International Series Gold category. The open celebrated its fourteenth edition and its seventh year in Acapulco; could the number 7 be the charm?

The remarkable thing about this distinction is that the players themselves vote for the prize, those that experience the day to day of the competition. This increases the value of the award and if anything, it brings exposure to the Open. In addition to the participants’ high level quality, it is that feeling of welcome that matters.

The final Masters 1000 of the season is here. The “city of love” will host the last event of the season before the ATP Finals and, just like every year, it looks spectacular.

Although it seemed that the battle for the World No. 1 would reignite in Paris, Roger Federer’s dropping out has left the spot wide open for Rafael Nadal, who will finish in that place of honor at the end of 2017. While the balearic player’s motivation will remain intact, Paris-Bercy is one of the tournaments that he has not been able to conquer. In 2007, David Nalbandian, from Argentina, stole that opportunity away from him.

The spaniard, who missed the Swiss Indoors due to knee issues, will debut in the second round in Paris against the winner of the match between Mischa Zverev and Hyeon Chung.

Meanwhile, Lucas Pouille will take Federer’s spot and will see action for the first time in the second round, when he plays against the winner between Feliciano López and Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Besides Nadal as the top favorite, one of the most probable contenders to come out victorious in the French capital is Alexander Zverev. The young german player has already conquered two Masters 1000 so far in 2017 (Rome and Montreal) and a third one does not look impossible, now that his skills have been proven.

Of course, Paris will welcome other great tennis players that can also be serious candidates for the title: Grigor Dimitrov, Dominic Thiem, Marin Cilic, David Goffin and a recent finalist in Basel, Juan Martín del Potro, who has declared that he will go to France to “give everything”, since he still has a chance to get into the Masters Cup in London.

In order to secure a spot in the english capital, Del Potro needs at the very least to get into the semifinals at Paris. But if Pablo Carreño Busta makes his way into the quarterfinals (or Sam Querrey or Kevin Anderson going to the semifinals), they will force the player from Tandil to reach the final, that’s if he wants to continue in the fight.

Nevertheless, even a hypothetical final does not guarantee Del Potro a ticket to London. Whatever happens in the other side of the bracket could drive him away from the last round of the year (for example, Goffin as semifinalist and Pouille as champion).

The only scenario where Del Potro secures a ticket to London is by crowning himself champion next Sunday.

The Paris Masters is ready and will not go unnoticed. There are a thousand points at stake, tennis players looking for glory and two places still available in the ATP Finals. Do you need anything else?

March 4, 2017

Sam Querrey stunned the unbeaten second seed Rafael Nadal and closed the tournament by snatching the trophy from the Spaniard and becoming the first American to become champion in the tournament’s 24-year history 6-3, 7-6(3).

Up to this match Nadal had a record of won vs lost sets of 28-0 in the Acapulco Tournament, now the record changes to 28-2. Ouerrey fought in a draw that hosted 6 of the  top-10 using his blasting service as his most powerful weapon. In his last duel the San Francisco Giant scored 19 aces against 1 from the Spaniard.

“It was an incredible week for me, I got to win over Top players” spoke Querrey about edging over fifth seed David Goffin (11 ATP) in the second-round, fourth seed Dominic Thiem (9 ATP) in the quarter-finals and sixth seed Nick Kyrgios (17 ATP) in the semi-finals.

One break was enough for Querrey to own the first set and remember Nadal he’s human and that he makes mistakes. Bewilderment was evident in Nadal’s face, he had a hard time with his service and missed the opportunities in the breaks he made.

“Its simple, his game was better than mine. I didn’t play as well during the first set. His game was nearly perfect, his backcourt game was great. During the tie-break I faulted three times with the 1-0, I searched for what I thought would work but I wasn’t able to achieve it. I’m still happy about this week”, spoke Nadal in a press conference right after the match.

Querrey is projected to jump to No. 26 on Monday, his highest standing since August 2013.

March 4, 2017

Croatian Darija Jurak and Australian Anastasia Rodionova have snatched the title in women’s doubles during the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis de Telcel after playing the first match of the evening.

The third seeded duple overcame their rivals, Colombian Mariana Duque Mariño and Paraguayan Veronica Cepede Royg, with 6-3, 6-2 in a 74-minute duel where they made display of their domain of their game with six breaks and 60 out of 107 points scored.

This is Jurak-Rodionova’s second title as a team, the first being their coronation in Estarbourne 2016. For the 32-year-old Croatian this is her fourth doubles title: Monterrey 2014, Dubai 2016, Eastbourne 2016, and Acapulco. Rodionova (45 ATP) sums 11 doubles title.

Second-place players Mariana Duque-Mariño holds the Panamerican Games 2015 (Toronto) gold medal and lost her second doubles final in Acapulco, in 2013 she fell along with her compatriot Catalina Castaño. Paraguayan Cepede Royg was cut short and only holds the Olympic gold medal from Rio 2017 with Argentinian María Irigoyen as her partner.