(AFP) – World number two Rafael Nadal captured his first ATP Tour title of 2020, easily defeating unseeded Taylor Fritz in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the final of the Mexico Open on Saturday. He didn’t drop a set all week and improved to 19-2 all-time at this event.
He nabbed his third Mexico Open title to go with victories in 2013 and 2005.
“I couldn’t be happier. I played a great event from the beginning to the end,” Rafa said. “Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my career, so to be able to stay here after 15 years is amazing. I can’t thank enough the people who make me feel at home every single time.”
Rafa wasted no time figuring out Fritz’s game in the first career meeting between the two. The 19-time Grand Slam winner made eight unforced errors and needed just one ace but it came in the final game of the second set to get to championship point.
Rafa closed it out with a blistering serve that handcuffed Fritz and gave Rafa his 85th career title.
Rafa won the final eight points to take the first set. He seized control by breaking Fritz’s serve in the ninth game to go up 5-4. He then served for the set, winning four straight points. On set point he hammered a serve which Fritz barely got back. That set up an overhead smash for Rafa which he put away nicely. Rafa broke Fritz twice in the second set, including the fifth game to go up 3-2. He broke Fritz again to take a 5-4 lead and then served out the match.
Rafa has now won a title 17 consecutive years.
Source: AFP
RR, responding to your 8:01pm comment, there was no reply link.
Yes, Rafa is healthy but he is usually among family members, young and older and I don’t expect this virus to suddenly disappear. By your comments I can see you are following developments closely and you, like me, are bothered because so much about this strain is still unknown.
I received the following, via email, from the ATP Tour.
7 March 2020
ATP AND WTA TO IMPLEMENT PRECAUTIONARY HEALTH MEASURES IN INDIAN WELLS AND MIAMI
As the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to cause concern on a global scale, the ATP and WTA have jointly announced a series of precautionary health measures that will be implemented on-site at upcoming events including the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the Miami Open presented by Itaú and WTA’s Volvo Car Open in Charleston.
Following medical advice by health experts, the precautionary measures, which are taken in the interest of the health and safety of players, staff, fans and the wider tennis community, are as follows:
Players and mascots will not hold hands when walking out on court
Ball kids will be provided with gloves to wear on court
Ball kids will not handle player towels during matches
Ball kids will not handle player drinks during matches
Players will be instructed to not distribute used towels, headbands, shirts, sweatbands, etc. to fans following matches or practice
Players will not accept pens, tennis balls or other items to hold for autograph signing
“The health and safety of our players, fans, staff and tournament personnel is paramount and, as the outbreak of COVID-19 continues, these are common sense precautions for us to take,” said the ATP and WTA in a joint statement. “We continue to monitor this closely on a daily basis, working with our players and tournaments, as well as public health authorities as the situation evolves globally.”
The precautionary health measures will be implemented across all WTA events and ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour events through the 2020 spring season, with a further review to follow.
Copyright © 2020 ATP Tour Inc, All rights reserved.
Would like to mention the source of my information: It’s StephanieMyles@OpenCourt. She was given access to a copy of the bulletin which was sent to WTA and ATP players. There’s also a good length video of Rafa’s practice session with Felix.
Oops, sorry about typos and some asterisks which have gone awol, but you get the gist! 😀
Thanks Lorna. Also little buddies will not be holding player’s hands entering the stadium. No mention of opponents not shaking hands with each other or the umpire. Would like it to be replaced by fist bump. One important change is more leniency regarding shot clock presumably due to extra time needed with towel situation. Rafa should be pleased about that.
Yes, RR. They need to address the handshake issue. It’s good that there will be some leniency with the stop clock. I’ve never understood why players couldn’t fetch their own towels, as ball kids being handed (or in some cases thrown) dirty, sweaty towels isn’t pleasant or healthy for them. The rule now that only players have to handle their own towels should be made standard across all tournaments.
Indian Wells 2020 has laid new protocols as a precautionary measure in regard to the ongoing coronavirus COVID 19 (statement released on 6th March).
More than 250 hand sanitizing stations have been placed around the facility
Players will be required to manage their own towels on court and ball kids will not touch or move player towels
A chair will be placed at the back of the court for players to put their towel on
Ball kids, restaurant & food supply workers and volunteers taking tickets will all wear gloves
*N95 masks are being secured for first aid and health personnel
Organised player and fan interaction will be limited
*All common areas will be cleaned daily with an antiviral application
CDC approved testing for all individuals with symptoms.
Fans who have purchased a ticket may request a refund or a credit or a credit for next year’s tournament.
Thank you Lorna. I would love to see the Indian Wells protocols, which are missing from the ATP list, incorporated into the ATP and WTA protocols if it hasn’t been done yet. Extra safety measures for sure.
Was noticing from pictures of the Atlanta exhibition match that Rafa is still touching and being in very close physical contact with fans when posing for selfies. I know he has always done that, which is part of his appeal, but he would be wise to keep a bit more distance now with COVID-19. Surprised Dr. Cotorro or anyone else he trusts would not have advised against this at least until it passes.
RR, I agree that Rafa should keep his distance because there is still no consensus on incubation- and- transmission periods. It is recommended that three-to-six feet is a safe distance. I hope he is not touching his face before washing his hands.
Yes Margo. Some baseball teams at spring training are not even allowing their players to sign autographs never mind selfies. Some of Rafa’s fans are rude enough to put their face right on his. He’s hardly going to be using hand sanitizer on his face every time. We know the mouth, nose and eyes are the easiest portals to receive the virus. Mind you he’s a youngish healthy guy but too much is still unknown. Wishing for him to be smart and stay safe.
ENHORABUENA!!! Despues d 15 años sigues estando en plena forma, m alegro mucho por todo, sigue conservandote así, Siempre contigo!!
Well done Rafa. You have become the best all round tennis player of all times. It bodes well for the rest of the season.
Wow! De vuelta despues de un tiempo y nada cambio! Rafa sigue siendo Rafa. Vamos!! 💪🏼
Big congrats on your hat trick, Rafa! Love to see that sombrero on you again.
Rafa played solid, tidy tennis in this match, so few UEs and thankfully he managed to serve out both the first set and the match, as that’s become a bit of a problem lately. Well played and congratulations Rafa!!! My thanks to the ballkids for helping him with the sawdust. It should be put in a something like a flour shaker to avoid having to fiddle with the lid 🙂 Happy for all the fans going to see Rafa in Atlanta – enjoy!
AWESOME WINS ALL WEEK, SEE YOU IN ATLANTA TOMORROW !!!
Just phenomenal work all through this Masters..Our Champion many Congratulations
Your 3rd Acapulco. Vamos
Alcapulco is in the 500 series so it’s not a Masters 1000. You can find a list of all ATP tournaments on the ATP website. Points, prize money, surface and draw are included for each tournament.
Sure thing, Abbeynemo. Sure thing.
Alcapulco is not a Masters 1000 tournament.
cheers
Rafa, te felicito. Como vivo en Alemania me quedé despierta toda la noche, hasta las cinco. Pero valió la pena!
Verte jugar es como un sueño. ¡Que pases un año fenomenal!
Lovely photos🙏
Congratulations Rafa, looking forward to see you holding and biting many more trophies!❤️
VAMOS RAFA! IT IS TIME TO NEXT GRAND SLAM !
Congrats to our champ! It is so good to watch you win on a hardcourt. I can’t wait to see you play Dimitrov on Monday in the exhibition match in Georgia! We have great seats and it will be my first time to see Rafa in person! WooHoo!!
Great week. Take rest and than all the best for Indian Wells. Vamos Rafa ❤️
No wonder he was playing in the little league … no players in the top 20 ☹️ It’s. a walk in the park …
It’s not his fault that the top players he was slated to play eg de Minaur,Kyrgios were either defeated or injured before Rafa got to them !!!!!! Get real !!!!!
Glass half-empty, Nico…..ditto Marianne.
He should have played Stan or Kyrgios, and then Sascha Zverev or Felix A-A in the final. It’s hardly his fault they didn’t make it through the draw!
Well don Rafa congratulations 🎊🍾 👍😘🇺🇸🏆🏆🏆👍👍🎈🎉🎊💕💪🎈🎉🎊🍾🏆🏆🏆
Congratulation Rafa , great week in Acapulco and finished in style. What a gracious champion and role model in every way . Wonderful start to the year . Now to rest and be ready for Indian Wells . Taylor Fritz did well , 10 aces is impressive .
🍀🇪🇸
Rafa congratulations well don 👍😘❤️🏆