A spirited viewers of 20,340 followers assembled at Mexico City’s main bullring on Wednesday to witness Carlos Alcaraz face off in opposition to Tommy Paul, seizing their sole alternative this 12 months to observe world-class tennis gamers of their hometown.
Despite a smaller turnout in comparison with the crowds that gathered to observe comparable exhibitions that includes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in earlier years, the eagerness on the Monumental Plaza de Toros remained undiminished.
“I will take a picture to never forget this,” Alcaraz mentioned after the match. “It has been a very special event; the truth is that I can only thank you for supporting tennis and me.”
The world No. 2 and Thirteenth-ranked Paul have been the principle attraction, with Greek Maria Sakkari and former Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki dealing with off as an appetizer.
“For me and my wife, it is very important to have this type of events,” mentioned fan Diego Segura.
“Hopefully, this will continue to grow because it is a unique opportunity to see Alcaraz (playing) live in our city.”
A rising market and the Mexican capital’s eager curiosity in sports activities have led others to supply distinctive alternatives for followers within the teeming metropolis of some 9 million individuals.
Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) supply regular-season video games, with the latter promising to broaden or also have a franchise in Mexico City.
Meanwhile, the National Football League (NFL), which till final 12 months had a sport scheduled within the metropolis, needed to droop it because of the transforming of the Azteca Stadium for the 2026 World Cup however continues to supply experiences for Mexican followers because it seeks to develop internationally.
Motorsports have additionally skilled robust development, notably with the return of Formula One to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in 2015, an occasion for which subsequent 12 months tickets are already bought out.
Formula E, too, has discovered a spot within the Mexican market, with the season kicking off within the capital.
Tomas Wolf, who was attending Wednesday’s exhibition along with his 10-year-old son and namesake, mentioned having the chance to observe world-class tennis gamers within the flesh was important to the expansion of the sport in Mexico.
“(I want) Alcaraz to win; he’s an inspiration for me,” mentioned the youthful Wolf, proving his father’s level.
Source: www.dailysabah.com