At least three tennis players had to either withdraw or retire from the ATP Mexican Open because of a suspected food poisoning epidemic. This ATP 500 tournament is traditionally held in Acapulco, which is a popular resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Three Players Hit With Suspected Food Poisoning
The first player to withdraw was third seed Tommy Paul, who scheduled to play fellow American Marcos Giron in the last 16. But moments before the match, Paul did not show up on the court. Although he did not issue a statement, the ATP confirmed on its website that it was due to a stomach issue.
Paul was soon joined on the list of exits by Holger Rune. Nothing was going to plan for the Dane who trailed Brandon Nakashima 0-3 in the first set of his match and suddenly chose to retire. Rune then took to social media to explain he was struck by a stomach ailment.
He expressed his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), “Furious and so sad at the same time. Had a food poisoning and was unable to play today. One of my favorite places is Mexico and I love this tournament @AbiertoTelcel. Absolutely not the way I wanted it to end.”
Furious and so sad at the same time. Had a food poisoning and was unable to play today. One of my favorite places is Mexico and I love this tournament @AbiertoTelcel . Absolutely not the way I wanted it to end
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) February 27, 2025
Rune’s fellow Scandinavian Casper Ruud was another name that did not take to the court. The Norwegian was supposed to face home wild card Pacheco Mendez in his second-round match but was admitted to battling a stomach bout for two days.
“Iām so sorry I had to pull out tonight. I was hoping to overcome this stomach illness that showed up yesterday and tried everything I could to be able to play tonight, until the very last moment,” Ruud detailed his cause for withdrawing on Instagram. “Hoping to come back stronger in a couple of days and come back here to Mexico next year. Thanks for now, Acapulco!”
Zverev and Shelton Among the Favorites to Lose Before the Quarterfinals
Two big favorites were knocked out before the quarterfinal. Top seed Alexander Zverev was beaten by American teenager Learner Tien in straight sets. After the match, tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg stated that the world #2 abandoned press duties and left the stadium. It’s unclear if his performance was in any way affected by food-related illness.
Zverev should be getting a fine also today to add to his woes.
He was announced pre-match for a win-or-lose press conference but instead walked straight out of the ATP 500 Acapulco stadium and into a car to ride away into the night, while Tien was still on court. pic.twitter.com/epsaAstI5N
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 27, 2025
Ben Shelton was also eliminated before the quarterfinal. The 22-year-old lefty lost to Belgium’s David Goffin in straight sets.
The tournament has not commented on the ravaging epidemic that is sweeping around the premises and it remains to be seen if there will be additional cases in the coming days.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
