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Hall of Fame
Acapulco, Mexico's legendary seaside city, has become one of the most violent cities in the world. The ATP and WTA tournaments that end this weekend are nevertheless adored by the players.
A decapitated man, his feet tied up, and lying on a sidewalk with his arms crossed. At his side, his bloody head, and a message of revenge attributed to a cartel. This is the scary discovery made, on the evening of February 22, by the inhabitants of the Alianza Popular district of Acapulco. A few hours later, Rafael Nadal, back in competition after his injury picked up at the Australian Open, landed in the great Mexican seaside resort of the Pacific, as if nothing had happened (he eventually withdrew at the last minute).
With 883 homicides for 847,735 inhabitants, Acapulco is yet the most violent city in Mexico and the third in the world, according to a report published in 2017 by the Citizen Council of Public Security and Criminal Justice - a Mexican NGO. Despite this bloody reality, the Mexican Open is better than ever. In addition to Nadal, two-time winner of the tournament (2005 and 2013), half of the top 10 entered the event this year: Zverev, Thiem, Del Potro, and Cilic, although the Croatian also gave up at the last moment.
By moving from clay to hard in 2014, the Mexican Open has noticeably gained in strength. In Acapulco, Nadal and others live their tournament in a heavenly hideaway. Located near the airport, the so-called "diamond" zone concentrates luxury hotels, golf courses and private beaches. With discretion, security guards keep a close eye on things. "Every year (for eight-nine years), ATP and WTA organize a briefing to advise players to take precautions when going out, to go to restaurants recommended by the organization, says Raul Zurutuza, the tournament director. But, if a player wants to dine downtown (outside the diamond area), a driver accompanies him or her, but nothing more. To protect the site hosting the competitions, we receive the unconditional support of the authorities. It's a problem that we deal with with a great sense of responsibility. "
Voted Best Tournament of Its Category Last Year
However, no incidents have been reported in recent years. Players even live a daily glamor. "Glad to come back to my favorite place," tweeted Kristina Mladenovic, runner-up of the 2017 edition, on her arrival. The Frenchwoman is not the only one to appreciate the charms of Acapulco. In 2017, ATP and WTA players voted the tournament the best in its category.
With its courts on the edge of the Pacific, the setting of the tournament has what it takes to seduce. The reality seems more unsuspected: shootings, kidnappings, mass graves, storekeepers racketed by the cartels who are quarreling in particular over the marketplace of a big seaside resort deserted by the foreigners, but where still flows the local tourism. A context that does not deject the organizers. An increasingly formidable competitor for Dubai, the Mexican Open is dreaming of becoming a Master 1000 tournament. An ambition as high as Acapulco's homicide rate.
https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/A-acapulco-le-tennis-malgre-la-violence/880412
A decapitated man, his feet tied up, and lying on a sidewalk with his arms crossed. At his side, his bloody head, and a message of revenge attributed to a cartel. This is the scary discovery made, on the evening of February 22, by the inhabitants of the Alianza Popular district of Acapulco. A few hours later, Rafael Nadal, back in competition after his injury picked up at the Australian Open, landed in the great Mexican seaside resort of the Pacific, as if nothing had happened (he eventually withdrew at the last minute).
With 883 homicides for 847,735 inhabitants, Acapulco is yet the most violent city in Mexico and the third in the world, according to a report published in 2017 by the Citizen Council of Public Security and Criminal Justice - a Mexican NGO. Despite this bloody reality, the Mexican Open is better than ever. In addition to Nadal, two-time winner of the tournament (2005 and 2013), half of the top 10 entered the event this year: Zverev, Thiem, Del Potro, and Cilic, although the Croatian also gave up at the last moment.
By moving from clay to hard in 2014, the Mexican Open has noticeably gained in strength. In Acapulco, Nadal and others live their tournament in a heavenly hideaway. Located near the airport, the so-called "diamond" zone concentrates luxury hotels, golf courses and private beaches. With discretion, security guards keep a close eye on things. "Every year (for eight-nine years), ATP and WTA organize a briefing to advise players to take precautions when going out, to go to restaurants recommended by the organization, says Raul Zurutuza, the tournament director. But, if a player wants to dine downtown (outside the diamond area), a driver accompanies him or her, but nothing more. To protect the site hosting the competitions, we receive the unconditional support of the authorities. It's a problem that we deal with with a great sense of responsibility. "
Voted Best Tournament of Its Category Last Year
However, no incidents have been reported in recent years. Players even live a daily glamor. "Glad to come back to my favorite place," tweeted Kristina Mladenovic, runner-up of the 2017 edition, on her arrival. The Frenchwoman is not the only one to appreciate the charms of Acapulco. In 2017, ATP and WTA players voted the tournament the best in its category.
With its courts on the edge of the Pacific, the setting of the tournament has what it takes to seduce. The reality seems more unsuspected: shootings, kidnappings, mass graves, storekeepers racketed by the cartels who are quarreling in particular over the marketplace of a big seaside resort deserted by the foreigners, but where still flows the local tourism. A context that does not deject the organizers. An increasingly formidable competitor for Dubai, the Mexican Open is dreaming of becoming a Master 1000 tournament. An ambition as high as Acapulco's homicide rate.
https://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article/A-acapulco-le-tennis-malgre-la-violence/880412
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