Acapulco is reeling from a catastrophic hurricane that has left the Mexican coastal city in ruins with at least 27 succumbing to death as per Thursday's reports.
Hurricane Otis, as it is called, is classified as a Category 5 hurricane, the strongest hurricane that can ever form on planet Earth, and has left damage clocking in billions of dollars. Aside from 27 people who lost their lives, four people are reportedly missing according to government records.
Videos circulating on social media show a trail of wreckage, ranging from flooded streets, and submerged cars and houses to inaccessible communication. Desperate inhabitants in the region are threatening to riot as they wait for aid and supplies of basic needs since travel has been heavily impacted with almost no access to roads.
Acapulco is a popular destination for tennis fans who make the annual pilgrimage to watch the ATP 500 tournament in late February. Pictures and videos from the tournament and its vicinity are horrifying. The tournament which held its latest edition this year, looks like a giant swamp full of flooded water.
One of the tournament's most decorated champions Rafael Nadal expressed his disappointment after witnessing the pictures of the stadium being nearly unrecognizable and prayed for strength for the people in the area in a post on Instagram.
"Sad to see the footage of the destruction from Hurricane Otis in the place I played so many times. Cheer up and strength. #Acapulco."
Nadal has won the Mexican Open four times in his career, the same number that Austria's Thomas Muster and compatriot David Ferrer managed (the most in the history of the tournament).
His last success was in 2022 and announced that it was his last appearance at the event. The 2023 champion was Alex de Minaur, who captured his first ATP 500 title.
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