Novak Djokovic has been granted a wildcard into next week’s Abierto Mexicano Telcel Open according to tournament sources.
The world No.2 will play his first competitive match on the tour since his shock second round loss at the Australian Open in Acapulco next week. Since his Melbourne exit, Djokovic has only participated in the Davis Cup tie between Serbia and Russia.
News of Djokovic’s Mexican plan was revealed by ESPN Mexico, who confirmed a formal statement will be released concerning Djokovic’s wildcard later on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Mexican branch of Marca.com reported that officials at the tournament have confirmed to them that the 14-time grand slam champion will play in the event.
“When we saw the possibility, we did not hesitate to offer an invitation. We knew that it would be very difficult, but it was a pleasant surprise to receive a response. Novak is excited to come to Acapulco for the first time and be part of the best picture in the history of the Mexican open,” tournament director Raul Zurutuza said in a statement.
Next week’s Acapulco tournament will occur at the same time as the Dubai Tennis Championships, an event the Serbian has won on four previous occasions. Earlier this month, Djokovic said that he will not be accepting a wildcard into this year’s Dubai tournament with many assuming he will not return to the tour until the American swing next month. Multiple news reports have suggested that Djokovic specifically requested to play in Mexico.
The Mexican Open is categorised as an ATP 500 tournament. The presence of the world No.2 presence means that this year’s field will feature six top-10 players. Other participants include Milos Raonic, Rafael Nadal, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem.
“Having Nadal Raonic, Cilic, Thiem, Goffin and now Djokovic, is something that fills us with pride today because few tournaments within our category [ATP 500] that can boast the fact of having the presence of six of the first 10 players in the world.” Said Zurutuza.
“This year will be more than memorable“.
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