Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️
Today’s tennis mood: Interest piqued + mildly irritated.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 Ready, play: Organizers of the Mexican Open are pushing back on rumors that the ATP 500 event in Acapulco is canceled. The misinformation spread after multiple soccer matches were postponed following unrest in the country as a result of the death of the drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes.
What they said: '“[T]he supposed cancellation of the event due to security issues in Jalisco is false,” tournament organizers said in a statement. “The event continues as scheduled and tournament operations are proceeding normally.”
🎾 What a feeling: Thanks to brutal conditions (both heat and rain) in Rio last week, Tomas Martin Etcheverry was forced to play two three-setters on Sunday to claim his first title after three previous attempts. In the final, he defeated Alejandro Tabilo in a highly taxing match that lasted more than three hours, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4.
What he said: “This is a dream come true for me. I was looking for a while for my first title. I’ve been working so hard with my team and I can’t believe it,” said Etcheverry. “I just tried to give my 100 percent. It was the final, the last match of the tournament, so I gave my 100 percent, and I think at the end, I have the prize.”
By the numbers: Claiming a 500 title also meant a significant jump in the rankings — 18 spots to number 33 in the world.
🎾 A supremely bad idea: Or, rather, it’s a good idea with supremely bad timing. That would be National Play Tennis Day. Today. On February 23rd. When much of the country experiences weather too frigid to possibly participate. But tennis is gonna tennis. Anyway, Happy National Play Tennis Day!
🎾 A life change: Over the weekend, Sloane Stephens posted on Instagram that she and former U.S. men’s national soccer player Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years. The announcement came as Stephens is set to play as a wild card in both singles and doubles in Merida this week.
What she said: “Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage,” the post read. “With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.”
