Zverev and de Minaur Face Acapulco’s Early Test

The hard courts of Acapulco gleam under February’s relentless sun, drawing Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur into a tournament that has tested champions since 1993. This ATP 500 event, the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, unfolds from February 23 to 28 at Boulevard de las Naciones and Paseo de los Manglares, with tournament director Alvaro Falla overseeing the action. Zverev’s baseline power meets de Minaur’s speed in a field primed for upsets, where every inside-out forehand carries the weight of early-season momentum.

Draws set qualifying intensity

The draw for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC drops on Saturday, February 21 at 3 p.m., mapping paths through qualifying rounds on February 21 and 22 starting at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Main draw matches begin Monday, February 23, with evening sessions at 6 p.m. through Thursday, February 26, shifting to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 27. The doubles final follows at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, before the singles decider at 9 p.m., compressing a week’s worth of tension into humid nights.

Prize money totals US $2,469,450, rewarding the singles winner with $461,835 and 500 points, the finalist $248,480 and 330 points, semi-finalists $132,425 and 200 points, quarter-finalists $67,655 and 100 points, second-round losers $36,115 and 50 points, and first-round exits $19,260 with zero points. Doubles teams split $151,690 for the title and 500 points, $80,900 and 300 for runners-up, $40,930 and 180 in semis, $20,470 and 90 in quarters, and $10,590 for first-round defeats. These stakes sharpen focus, turning practice rallies into previews of crosscourt battles.

Last year’s triumphs echo forward

Tomas Machac seized the 2025 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC crown with a 7-6(6), 6-2 defeat of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, his steady returns forcing errors in tight exchanges. Christian Harrison and Evan King claimed doubles honors, overwhelming Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul 6-4, 6-0 through crisp volleys and deep lobs. Such victories remind entrants of the fine margins on these courts, where de Minaur‘s one–two combinations might disrupt Zverev‘s heavy topspin setups.

History layers the pressure: Rafael Nadal shares four singles titles with David Ferrer and Thomas Muster, his wins marking him as both youngest champion at 18 in 2005 and oldest at 35 in 2022. Gustavo Kuerten prevailed as world No. 1 in 2001, while Juan Ignacio Chela, ranked No. 129, stunned the field in 2000. No home player has lifted the trophy, and Ferrer holds 32 match wins, records that frame the psychological push amid Acapulco’s electric vibe.

Social pulse drives fan engagement

View On Official Website for schedules and tickets, or stream via Watch Live on TennisTV alongside the TV Schedule. The #CelebratingTennis hashtag unites supporters on YouTube’s AbiertoMexicanoTenis channel, Facebook’s AbiertoMexicanoDeTenis page, TikTok’s @abiertomexicano, Instagram’s @abiertomexicanodetenis, and X’s @AbiertoTelcel. As qualifying heats up, these platforms amplify the buzz, dissecting potential inside-in winners and down-the-line passes that could swing rankings.

Altitude quickens ball speeds here, demanding Zverev flatten his serves to navigate the net while de Minaur employs underspin to skid low and extend points. The medium bounce favors aggressive patterns, yet humidity softens pace, inviting slice defenses that test endurance. Players arrive carrying offseason reflections—Zverev eyeing consistency, de Minaur building on recoveries—making this stop a crucible for adaptation.

Evening crowds build from the first qualie echoes, their cheers propelling baseline grinds into high-stakes theater. Zverev’s towering presence clashes with de Minaur’s agility, each point probing mental edges on courts that reward unflinching resolve. As finals loom, the true narrative emerges in those who harness the pressure, propelling their seasons with Acapulco’s unforgiving rhythm.