Los Cabos is justifiably famed for its booming golf scene, with over a dozen world-class courses and counting in Cabo 
San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and their connecting corridor. But the cape cities have also proved fertile for golf’s traditional country club partner, tennis.
The most high-profile example of this is the Los Cabos Open, an ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) sponsored tournament hosted each summer near Cabo San Lucas. Two of the world’s top 10 ranked men, American Jack Sock and Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, have already committed for the 2018 event, scheduled to take place July 30th to August 4th on the grounds of the Delmar International School.
“We wanted to count on at least one top 10,” said tournament director Geoffrey Fernandez, “but this year we have two.”
The Los Cabos Open (or Abierto Los Cabos as it is known is Spanish) is one of two ATP events held annually in Mexico, the other being the Mexican Open in Acapulco. The first Los Cabos Open tournament in 2016 featured 13 of the world’s 50 best players, and was won by hard serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who defeated Spanish star Feliciano Lopez in the final. The match had historic dimensions, as it featured the oldest finalists in an ATP event since 1977. Last year, American Sam Querrey accomplished the first Mexican Double, winning both the country’s professional tournaments in the same year. Juan Martin del Potro won in Acapulco a few weeks ago, so another Mexican Double is potentially in play this year.
In addition to Sock and del Potro, world number 20 Fabio Fognini, and 38th ranked Lopez have also confirmed. The defending Queen’s Club champion and a former French Open doubles champion, Lopez has appeared at all of the Los Cabos Opens to date, and has helped to promote the tournament to a broader audience with numerous media appearances on its behalf. Others who have committed for this year’s 3rd annual event include current no. 54 Ryan Harrison and a singles finalist from last year, Thanasi Kokkinakis. Last year’s champion, Sam Querrey, is also expected to return, but has not yet made it official.
The tournament takes place at the Delmar International School, a bilingual and bicultural education facility serving children K-12. Special facilities were built there for the first tournament in 2016, highlighted by a 3,500 seat stadium, grandstand and auxiliary couts, plus a hospitality center featuring fine food and drink, sponsor tents, and of course gorgeous views of Land’s End. Bank and financial services group Mifel and theater chain Cinemex remain the tournament’s primary sponsors, but other companies who have supported the LCO include ESPN, Pepsi, Adidas, Michelob and Mazda.
The Los Cabos Open’s early successes have put it on a path to equal, if not eventually surpass The Mexican Open. The latter has been around since 1993, and now offers over $1.6 million dollars in prize money as part of the ATP’s World Tour 500 series. The Los Cabos Open, by contrast, is an ATP 250 series men’s singles and doubles event with nearly $800,000 in prize money. That’s the most of any ATP 250 series event in the Americas, despite the fact that the tournament only premiered in 2016.
To put a few of those numbers in perspective, at the absolute top-level in tennis are the four Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon and the U.S., Australian and French Opens), followed by a single ATP Finals event, nine ATP World Masters Tour 1000 competitions, 13 ATP 500 series events, and 40 ATP 250s. Thus, the Los Cabos Open is currently among the 67 best tournaments in the world, and although it has only been around for three years, is already angling to move up to the top 27 by joining the Mexican Open on the ATP 500 roster.
That goal may take a few more years to accomplish, but there’s no question that tennis interest in Los Cabos is at an all-time high, and that this year’s Los Cabos Open will feature the best field in its short but memorable history.
For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com .
Photo courtesy of Abierto Los Cabos.
Upcoming Event Calendar
March
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17
Wine & Cheese Festival at Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar – March 10
El Triunfo Festival Artesanal – March 11
East Cape Arts Festival – March 18
Traditional Fiestas in San Jose del Cabo – March 14 – 19
El Ganzo Music Presents: Jenny & The Mexicats – March 24
Semana Santa (Holy Week) – March 25 – 31
Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – April 5, 12, 19, 26
Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – April 8
NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26
Los Cabos Culinary Awards – April 25
2018 Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada – April 28
May
483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20
Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2
June
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 7, 14, 21, 28
Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9
Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17
Fiesta de la Musica – June 23
Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1
July
East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4
August
East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25
September
Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16
October
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27
25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
November
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4
Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11
WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18
Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20
Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27
Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
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