–

Just as the popular tourist destination of Acapulco, Mexico was getting back into the swing of things in the wake of devastating damage caused by Hurricane Otis last October, it’s been hit again.

Hard. Even harder, if that’s possible.

And for the second consecutive year, the Abierto Mexicano Telcel – a well-attended ATP 500 tournament won by Alex de Minaur the last two years – will have to scramble to make its tournament happen.

This time, it’s Hurricane/Tropical Storm John. And media reports have the damage exponentially worse.

Here’s a shot from the drone show at the tournament last February.

And here’s what it looks like today.

It’s uninimaginable. And that’s just one tiny part of Acapulco, where the devastation almost defies description.

According to Reuters, nearly 100 cm (39 inches) of rain flooded the southern Mexican state of Guerrero, which includes Acapulco. It rained for four straight days there – and the total amount of rain was nearly three times what it was with Otis, a Category 5 hurricane. Which was devastating enough.

John struck the Mexican state at hurricane strength twice within a week, after re-forming off shore.

Otis killed more than 50 and caused about $15 BILLION in damage.

Otis meant a scramble in 2024

Less than a year ago, after the devastation of Otis caused damage to 80 per cent of the hotel stock in the resort town, the organizers were determined.

Being as dependant as it is on tourism, there was a massive push to re-open hotels and, in the case of the ATP event, ensure that it could still be held almost exactly four months later.

Most of the hotels and even the airport were closed for weeks afterwards. A huge proportion of the local crops were ruined. And the organizers considered moving the tournament to another location.

The main stadium was significantly damaged. On an outer court, an entire flank of seating collapsed. It was so destructive and devastating they actually “retired” Otis from the hurricane naming convention list.

By December, the tournament vowed to hold it on time, as a symbol of the rebuilding of the city and “generate a positive impact on the local economy and community”.

More than 200 million Mexican pesos ($10 million US), 35 companies and four months were devoted to making it possible.

What, then, for 2025?

Just three weeks ago, the tournament held its “announcement” press conference, confirming several names including Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti.

They were happy to announce that the availability of hotel rooms was on the rise; by last year’s February tournament dates, the area had managed to re-open some 6,500 room to tourists.

By early September, that number was up over 11,000 and they were expecting to have close to 15,000 rooms open by the Christmas season. Restaurants, shopping centres, the airport and the general tourism infrastructure all being renovated.

Now, this. All that work under water – dwarfed by the human toll.

It’s another huge blow to the area, and secondarily to the tournament.

We’ll stay tuned in the coming weeks to see whether the organizers have the heart, hands and funds to tackle what might be an even bigger challenge this time.

About Post Author