Acapulco Tennis: Complete Guide to the Mexican Open at Arena GNP Seguros

Acapulco tennis is among the most visually spectacular and atmospherically electric on the entire ATP Tour. The Abierto Mexicano Telcel — commonly known as the Mexican Open — is an ATP 500 hard court tournament held annually in February at the open-air Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Mexico. With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, a passionate Mexican crowd, warm evenings under the stars and consistently world-class tennis, the Acapulco tournament has earned a reputation as one of the most unique and beloved events on the ATP calendar. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about Acapulco tennis: the tournament structure, history, past champions, how to get tickets and what makes it so special.

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What Is the Mexican Open in Acapulco?

The Abierto Mexicano Telcel is an ATP 500 hard court tennis tournament held every February in Acapulco, Mexico. ATP 500 events are the third-highest tier of tournament on the men’s professional circuit, sitting below the four Grand Slams and the nine ATP Masters 1000 events but above the ATP 250 category — meaning they attract the world’s top players and award significant ranking points and prize money. The tournament is played on an outdoor hard court surface at the spectacular open-air Arena GNP Seguros, with the Pacific Ocean visible behind the stadium — one of the most iconic settings in professional tennis. A WTA event has also been held in Acapulco, making it a combined destination for both men’s and women’s tennis fans. For context on how the ATP calendar works and major tournaments, see our Grand Slam winners guide.

Arena GNP Seguros: The Home of Acapulco Tennis

The Arena GNP Seguros is one of the most extraordinary tennis venues in the world. Key features:

• Open-air stadium — no roof; matches played under the open sky with the Pacific Ocean visible as a backdrop — utterly unique on the ATP Tour
• Hard court surface — a fast outdoor hard court that rewards aggressive, attacking tennis and big serves
• Capacity — approximately 10,000 spectators for the main show court
• Location — on the beachfront in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico; the combination of Pacific sunsets, warm evenings and world-class tennis makes for an unmatched atmosphere
• Night sessions — evening matches under floodlights with the ocean breeze are among the most memorable experiences in tennis

Acapulco Tennis: Tournament History

The Abierto Mexicano Telcel has a rich history:

• 1993 — the tournament is first held in Acapulco, establishing Mexico’s place on the ATP calendar
• Early years — the event grows in prestige through the 1990s and 2000s, attracting top Latin American players and international stars
• ATP 500 status — the tournament is elevated to ATP 500 level, securing its position as one of the premier events of the February hard court swing
• Arena GNP Seguros — the development of the purpose-built oceanfront arena transforms Acapulco into one of the most visually iconic stops on the entire tour
• Recent years — the tournament has attracted the world’s top players including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz, cementing its reputation as a must-watch event

Acapulco Tennis: Past Champions

Men’s Singles Champions (ATP 500)

Acapulco tennis has been won by some of the greatest players in the modern era:

• Rafael Nadal — multiple titles in Acapulco; his success on the hard courts of Mexico demonstrates his versatility beyond clay
• Novak Djokovic — won in Acapulco as part of his dominance across all surfaces
• Roger Federer — won in Acapulco during his peak years; the oceanfront arena provided a spectacular setting for his elegant game
• Carlos Alcaraz — won the Mexican Open as part of his rapid rise to the top of the ATP rankings, drawing enormous enthusiasm from Mexican and Latin American fans
• Alexander Zverev — won in Acapulco, demonstrating the strength of the field that the tournament attracts
• Nick Kyrgios — won in Acapulco, producing some of his most spectacular tennis in the electric Mexican atmosphere

When Is the Mexican Open in Acapulco?

The Abierto Mexicano Telcel is held annually in February — typically in the second half of the month, running for approximately one week. It sits within the ATP’s February hard court swing, which also includes tournaments in Dallas, Rotterdam and Marseille. The Acapulco tournament is one of the highlights of the early-season ATP calendar and attracts top players preparing for the hard court Masters events and the spring clay court season. Always check the official tournament website for the exact dates of the current year.

How to Get Tickets for Acapulco Tennis

Tickets for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel are available through the official tournament website. Options typically include:

• Stadium session tickets — day and night sessions on the main Arena GNP Seguros court; night sessions with the ocean backdrop are the most sought-after
• Grounds passes — access to outer courts for earlier rounds; excellent value and a great way to see top players up close
• VIP and hospitality packages — premium packages are available combining tickets with dining and exclusive areas

Pro tips for Acapulco tickets:

• Night session tickets are among the most spectacular in tennis — book as early as possible
• The tournament is hugely popular with Mexican fans; weekend sessions sell out quickly
• Always purchase from the official tournament website to avoid counterfeit tickets

Visiting Acapulco for Tennis

Getting to Arena GNP Seguros

The Arena GNP Seguros is located on the beachfront in Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Getting there:

• Fly to Acapulco — General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport (ACA) serves Acapulco with direct flights from Mexico City (approximately 1 hour) and connections from international hubs
• From Mexico City — regular bus services (approximately 4–5 hours) and shuttle options connect Mexico City to Acapulco
• Local transport — taxis and rideshare apps are readily available in Acapulco; the arena is well-signposted during tournament week

Acapulco in February

February is an excellent time to visit Acapulco — warm, sunny and dry with temperatures typically around 28–32°C. Key tips:

• February is one of Acapulco’s finest months — comfortable humidity levels and consistent sunshine
• Book accommodation well in advance — tournament week is one of the busiest periods of the year in Acapulco
• The beachfront location means you can combine world-class tennis with some of Mexico’s finest Pacific beaches
• Bring sun protection for afternoon sessions — the Mexican February sun is intense, even in an open-air arena

Why Acapulco Tennis Is Special

The Acapulco tennis tournament stands out on the ATP calendar for several reasons:

• The setting — no other ATP tournament combines an open-air oceanfront arena with the Pacific as a backdrop; it is simply unlike anything else in professional tennis
• The atmosphere — Mexican tennis fans are passionate, knowledgeable and create one of the loudest and most vibrant atmospheres on tour
• Night sessions — playing under floodlights with the Pacific Ocean visible and an ocean breeze is an experience players and fans consistently describe as unforgettable
• Star quality — as an ATP 500 event held in February, Acapulco consistently attracts top-10 players looking to build ranking points before the key Masters events
• Carlos Alcaraz effect — with Alcaraz’s emergence as the dominant force in men’s tennis, his victories in Acapulco have generated enormous excitement across Latin America

Acapulco Tennis and the Hard Court Game

Watching the best players compete on the fast hard courts of Acapulco is an inspiration for improving your own hard court game. Key tips:

• Hard court shoes — proper hard court tennis shoes with durable outsoles are essential; see our picks for tennis shoes men and tennis shoes women
• Racket choice — hard courts reward power and spin; a Wilson racket or Babolat racket used by the pros on this surface is a great starting point
• Serve and return — hard court tennis is dominated by the serve; invest time in your serve technique
• Fresh overgrip — particularly important in the warm conditions; a fresh tennis overgrip makes a real difference
• Warm up thoroughly — hard courts are unforgiving on joints; always follow our tennis warm-up guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tennis tournament in Acapulco called?

The Acapulco tennis tournament is officially called the Abierto Mexicano Telcel — commonly known as the Mexican Open. It is an ATP 500 hard court event held annually in February at Arena GNP Seguros.

When is the Mexican Open in Acapulco?

The Abierto Mexicano Telcel is held annually in February — typically in the second half of the month. Check the official tournament website for the exact dates of the current year.

Where is the Acapulco tennis tournament played?

At the Arena GNP Seguros in Acapulco, Mexico — a spectacular open-air hard court arena on the Pacific beachfront, with the ocean visible as a backdrop.

What surface is the Mexican Open played on?

The Mexican Open is played on an outdoor hard court surface — fast and flat, rewarding aggressive tennis and big serves.

Who has won the most titles at the Acapulco tennis tournament?

The Mexican Open has been won by many of the game’s greatest players, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios. Check the official tournament website for the complete list of champions.

Is the Mexican Open an ATP 500 event?

Yes — the Abierto Mexicano Telcel is an ATP 500 event, the third-highest tier of men’s professional tournament after the Grand Slams and ATP Masters 1000 events. It consistently attracts top-10 players.

How do I get tickets for the Acapulco tennis tournament?

Tickets are available through the official Abierto Mexicano Telcel website. Options include show court session tickets, grounds passes and VIP packages. Book early — night sessions and weekend matches sell out quickly.

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• Roland Garros Tickets: Complete Guide to Buying French Open Tickets
• Tennis Warm-Up Exercises: Prevent Injury and Play Better
• Best Beginner Tennis Rackets: Top Picks for New Players

Official Resources

• Abierto Mexicano Telcel — official tournament website for tickets, schedule and player info
• ATP Tour — official men’s professional tennis circuit
• WTA Tour — official women’s professional tennis circuit

Tournament information is accurate as of September 2026. Always check the official Abierto Mexicano Telcel website for the latest schedule, tickets and player information. Affiliate links help support Tennis Mindset at no extra cost to you.