Ben Shelton has called for the Atlanta Open to replicate the match schedule of the Mexican Open.
Contrary to the way most tournaments around the world function, matches at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco usually begin only in the evening, around 5:30 pm local time. Besides helping players avoid taking to the courts when daytime temperatures are high, it has also seen an increase in fan presence at the stadium.
Shelton, who is currently competing in Mexico, took to social media and urged the ATP 250 event in Atlanta to follow the timing structure implemented in Acapulco. He also likened his comments to Andy Murray’s ‘unpopular opinion’ regarding the addition of a South American Masters event to the ATP Tour calendar.
“Hot take like Andy Murray…. Unpopular opinion: a tournament like Atlanta in the summer should only have night matches like they do in Acapulco, stadium here is always packed, and a few other tournaments. Would be better for the fans for sure, and probably end up with bigger crowds,” Shelton wrote in his Instagram Stories.
The young American added that the temperatures in Atlanta in July, when the tournament usually takes place, are very high:
