Top seed Rafael Nadal has eased to the Mexico Open title with a dominant 73-minute performance in the final on Sunday against world No. 35 Taylor Fritz.
The 19-time grand slam champion withstood 10 aces fired from Fritz to prevail 6-3, 6-2. Completing his near perfect performance at this year’s tournament where he didn’t drop a set en route to the title. On average Nadal lost five games per match. Against Fritz, Nadal was unbroken throughout the encounter as he hit 14 winners against eight unforced errors. Furthermore, he also dropped just five points behind his first serve.
“Winning in Acapulco is always special because of the closeness to the tournament and the people. It’s an important title in an important moment, I didn’t start the year as good as I wanted, but I got better, I came into the tournament a little bit saturated because I didn’t get a lot of rest and this was a week to build my confidence. I leave with my objective cleared, I’m very happy, I want to enjoy this and get ready for Indian Well,” said Nadal.
It was at the Mexican Open where he won his first ATP International Series Gold title back in 2005. Commonly known now as an ATP 500 event. His record in Acapulco now stands at 20 wins against two losses. Those who have defeated him, Sam Querrey in 2017 and Nick Kyrgios in 2018, both went on to win the title that year. It is the first time Nadal has won the tournament since it switched from clay to hard courts and it is his third overall.
Despite his recent triumph, the 33-year-old is staying grounded about what the future may have in store for him on the tour. He is currently locked in a battle with Novak Djokovic for the world No.1 spot. Djokovic won the Dubai Open this week.
“This doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good year; it only gives me confidence and lets me be in a privileged position”, he commented on his latest achievement.
It is the 17th year in a row that Nadal has won a title on the ATP Tour and 85th in total. In the Open Era, only Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors have won titles than him. He is also the oldest player to win in Mexico as well as being the youngest.
”He’s one of the best players to ever play the game and he showed me why that is tonight,” runner-up Fritz said in tribute to his rival. “This is one of my favourite tournaments to come to every year. I’m just glad that I could have a good week at one of my favourite events. I felt a lot of love all week.”
Despite his highly decorated career, Nadal doesn’t want to be remembered for what he has won. Speaking to reporters in his press conference, he said he wants his legacy to be more meaningful.
“In the future, I do not want to be remembered as a tennis player who won numerous titles, but to have left a good example for boys and girls. This is my only objective, then winning or losing is part of the sport in general. If one thing I wish I could say that I have done well is that I have transmitted positive things on and off a track and that makes me very satisfied on my part,” he said.
Nadal will trail Djokovic by 370 points in the world rankings when they are updated on Monday. Both players will return to action in a couple weeks time at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
