You are currently viewing Venue where Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev and others set to play submerged underwater as hurricane causes devastation

Venue where Ben Shelton, Alexander Zverev and others set to play submerged underwater as hurricane causes devastation

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The venue for the Mexican Open was flooded over the weekend as Hurricane John swept through Acapulco.

Images showed The Arena GNP Seguros, which hosts the ATP 500 Mexican Open every February, submerged underwater after four days of continuous rainfall in the area.

Hurricane John has left The Arena GNP Seguros submerged under waterAFP

Hurricane John, a Category 3 hurricane at its peak before being downgraded to a tropical storm, originated from a low-pressure area off the coast of southern Mexico a week ago.

It hit its peak intensity on Tuesday before dissipating three days later, but has left the tournament site completely flooded.

Shocking images showed Estadio, Grandstand, Court 1 and the surrounding areas under several meters of water.

This is the second year in a row the area has been battered with adverse weather conditions.

Hurricane Otis left the tournament site and Acapulco in a similar state of disaster in October 2023.

The 2024 edition of the Mexican Open, hosted in February this year, was almost cancelled after 52 people reportedly died in the natural disaster.

The tournament eventually went ahead and was won by Australian Alex de Minaur, who claimed his second successive title there.

The tournament itself wasn’t without incident though, as a huge fire broke out during the event near the Miramar and Las Brisas areas of Acapulco – not far from where the event is held.

It is the second year in a row Acapulco and the surrounding area has been hit by a hurricaneAFP

The world’s top players are set to play at the event in February and are awaiting on an update from event organizersAFP

Fortunately, the tournament was able to continue and current world no. 11 de Minaur beat Casper Ruud in the showpiece.

He claimed back-to-back titles in Acapulco after beating American Tommy Paul in 2023’s final.

Orgnanizers are yet to address the tournament’s current situation and whether Hurricane John will affect the event in February.

The 2025 tournament will take place from February 24 to March 1, with top players such as Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton all signed up to play.

Organizers will likely determine the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane John over the coming days and weeks before making any announcement on the status of the event.

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