Mexico City Open named ATP Challenger Tour's Tournament of the Year
The Mexico City Open was named the ATP Challenger Tour’s Tournament of the Year on Friday.
Throughout the season, players were given the opportunity to evaluate and grade each tournament they compete in, based on various criteria. The Mexico City Open stood out in a year that featured 207 ATP Challenger Tour tournaments across 48 countries.
In its third edition, the Mexico City Open excelled in all areas, including tournament services, organisation and creative vision. Held at the Club Deportivo Chapultepec, often called Mexico’s ‘Cathedral of Tennis’, the Mexico City Open has become a beloved event for players to start the spring clay-court season.
“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team behind the Mexico City Open, the invaluable support of the Board of Directors of the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec, our sponsors, and the encouragement from the ATP Challenger team and our passionate tennis fans,” said Jorge Nicolin, Director of the Centro Deportivo Chapultepec.
“We at the Mexico City Open are deeply grateful for this recognition and remain inspired to continue striving for excellence. Thank you to the ATP for this incredible honour. We will continue working with the ATP Challenger team to grow the sport and provide opportunities for the players to showcase their talents.”
<img alt=”Mexico City Open” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/12/12/21/54/mexicocitych-2024.jpg” />
Credit: Mexico City Open
Argentine Thiago Agustin Tirante won this year’s edition of the ATP Challenger 125 event, going one step further than his runner-up finish in 2023.
For the second consecutive year, the ATP Challenger Tour’s Tournament of the Year has been awarded to an event in Mexico. In 2023, Leon claimed the honours.
Best of Europe & Africa
San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world, but the San Marino Tennis Open left a big impression on players. The ATP Challenger 125 event, won by Frenchman Alexandre Muller, was presented with the award for ‘Best of Europe & Africa’.
“It is a great honour and privilege for us to receive this recognition, especially because we are one of the smallest countries in Europe hosting a Challenger tournament among giants with great experience and tradition,” said Christian Forcellini, President of the San Marino Tennis Federation.
“Despite our small size, we have always strived to ensure significant organisational capabilities, both in terms of logistics and the attention given to the services provided to players and the entire entourage surrounding an international tournament. For our Federation, this award is an additional incentive to keep improving in the future.”
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Best of Asia-Pacific
World-class tennis is brought to the island of Bahrain, thanks to the Bahrain Ministry of Interior Tennis Challenger, which won the award for ‘Best of Asia-Pacific’. Mikhail Kukushkin was crowned champion in Manama in February.
“We are proud and honoured to receive this award. We see this award as an important milestone in our journey of developing the sport of tennis in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said tournament director Mohammed Al Sayed. “A large organising team led by a vision of His Excellency the Minister of Interior, Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, spared no efforts in playing host to world-class athletes and officials in 2021-2024.
“We are grateful to the ATP for their continued trust and support and we are looking forward to a successful fourth edition of the event in February 2025.”
Best of South America
Challenger Bolivia, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, earned South America’s top honours for the second consecutive year. Santa Cruz de la Sierra hosted two tournaments in 2024. Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli won this season’s March edition while his countryman Juan Manuel Cerundolo claimed the title in June.
“Receiving this recognition as the Best Challenger of South America is an honour I share with everyone who has made it possible for the Challenger Bolivia to continue growing,” said tournament organiser Carolina Poehlmann. “I am deeply grateful to the players, to the ATP for its invaluable support, and to my outstanding tournament directors, Diego Manrique and Rolando Nieva — excellent professionals and even better individuals.
“My heartfelt thanks go to the Club de Tenis Santa Cruz and the Country Club Las Palmas for opening their doors to this kind of event, to our sponsors for their trust, to my family, and to God for the rewards and gratifications this challenge brings us. This achievement belongs to everyone.”
Did You Know?
Georgia, Rwanda and Congo made their Challenger debuts in 2024, with the cities of Kachreti, Kigali and Brazzaville hosting tournaments for the first time. In total, 94 different countries/territories have welcomed a Challenger tournament in the history of the circuit (since 1978).
Read ATPTour.com’s featured story; Rwanda Challenger reflects hope & healing of a nation.
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