Meda Day in Los Cabos, find out what the protagonists had to say
- During the Media Day, the main players of the eighth edition of the ATP 250 revealed their feelings about the start of the tournament and their impressions of Los Cabos.
Los Cabos, February 18, 2024.- Prior to the start of the tournament, the protagonists of the eighth edition of the Mifel Tennis Open by Telcel Oppo chatted with the media present about their tennis moment and their first sensations in Los Cabos, which for the first time hosts the ATP 250 in the month of February.
For Norwegian Casper Ruud, world No. 12, the new date on which the tournament is held prior to the Mexican Open is convenient for the players.
“It’s a great schedule, having the two tournaments back to back, it makes sense for a lot of players. It’s a long trip from Norway to Mexico but if you come two or three weeks it’s much more worth it. A week before Acapulco, I hope it stays that way, it’s become one of my favorite stops in the year.”
On his first impressions of the destination he added “Amazing, it’s beautiful, it feels good to be here, I’m happy! It’s a privilege to wake up and see the ocean every day. I grew up near the sea in Norway, in different conditions, but I always feel good next to the ocean. This place has been amazing since we arrived, I’ve had good practices, relaxed, enjoyed the beach, went swimming in the morning, everything fantastic.”
Alexander Zverev, the tournament’s top seed and also making his debut in Los Cabos agrees with Ruud: “I’ve always liked the heat, it’s a beautiful place, we all enjoy being here. Perfect schedule, I hope it stays that way. It’s one of the strongest 250s out there and a lot of players understand that, that it’s great preparation for the North American swing (tour). And we have whales jumping in the ocean!”
For his part, defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas recalled his experience a few months ago at 2023.
“Last year I suffered it, it was very hot and humid. Much better this year, friendlier conditions for the body, they are some of the best to play tennis.”
He also made clear his goals in his visit to the country “I want to have two good weeks in Mexico, I feel a great relationship with the fans, I feel very welcome, it is warm, wake up, be on the beach and do what I love which is to play tennis”.
Also present with the media was the Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who arrives to the main draw with invitation of the tournament and lived the experience in the previous venue where he was champion in 2019.
“It’s all nicer than when it was played in August, which is very hard in the day and night because of the humidity. I think that for the players who want to come from Latin America it helps them a lot, changing to February is for the better, positive for the region. It’s amazing to go back to places like this!”
The eighth edition is played a week before the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC in Acapulco.
Since its first edition in 2016, the tournament’s champions have included Ivo Karlovic, Sam Querrey, Fabio Fognini, Diego Schwartzman, Cameron Norrie, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.