Nadal Becomes Oldest-Ever Acapulco Champion… 15 Years After Becoming Youngest-Ever Champion
Logic prevailed: No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal defeated unseeded Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2 to claim his third Acapulco title after 2005 and 2013 — his first since the tournament switched to hard courts in 2014. Fifteen years after becoming the tournament’s youngest-ever champion at age 18, Nadal becomes its oldest-ever champion at age 33.
Tennis – ATP 500 – Mexican Open – Princess Acapulco Stadium, Acapulco, Mexico – February 29, 2020 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates with the trophy after winning his final match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S.
Was it ever in doubt? Facing just one break point all match, Rafael Nadal comprehensively defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2 to reclaim the Acapulco crown, seven years after the last time he held it (2013). Just like a certain Novak Djokovic in Dubai earlier this Saturday…
Nadal secured the crucial break at 4-3 in the first set, taking advantage of some sloppy play from Fritz. He then served out the set on a love game, 6-3.
He's getting into his groove.@RafaelNadal claims the first set 6-3, and is one away from reaching the finish line.
Stream live →https://t.co/tPoe44TDv0#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/JCJC9Y0dN6
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) March 1, 2020
Never in danger on his serve…
Fritz has won four return points in seven Nadal service games.
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) March 1, 2020
…Nadal broke Fritz for 3-2 in the second set on a forehand wide error from the American — not without making moves of his own.
Knockdown 🥊@RafaelNadal bides his time before landing the haymaker in Acapulco.#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/vpAQdyaWSu
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 1, 2020
In the next game, the Spaniard faced his lone break point of the match, but fended it off with a classic 1-2 serve-forehand punch.
The remainder of the match was as straightforward as it gets, the American having let go his last chance to turn this into a contest.
Nadal secured the insurance break for 5-2 and comfortably served out the match 6-3, 6-2.
Mastery in Mexico 🙌
The moment @RafaelNadal claimed his third @AbiertoTelcel title, and his first on a hard court. #AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/wF3jgmRBw7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 1, 2020
For the first time since the tournament switched its surface from clay to hard in 2014, Nadal is a champion in Acapulco. He joins good friend and compatriot David Ferrer as the only players to clinch the title on both surfaces.
Fifteen years after becoming the tournament’s youngest-ever champion at age 18, Nadal becomes its oldest-ever champion at age 33.
🏆 Acapulco (1993-2020) 🏆
Youngest-ever champion — Rafael Nadal (2005, 18 years old)
Oldest-ever champion — Rafael Nadal (2020, 33 years old) pic.twitter.com/V2l0aR0J7O
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) March 1, 2020
