Andy Murray unpopular opinion catches on as Ben Shelton calls for Atlanta Open to change schedule: "Daytime in July is unbearable"
ATP
Ben Shelton
followed Andy Murray's example with an 'unpopular opinion' and called for
changes in the schedule of the Atlanta Open, as well as the Mexican Open. The
21-year-old athlete is in Acapulco participating in the hardcourt tournament,
which is known for scheduling matches only in the afternoon.
The high
temperatures in Acapulco led the organizers to decide that matches would only
be played in the afternoon, starting around 5:30 PM local time, helping the
players avoid the hottest moments of the day."
“Would be better for the fans for sure” – Ben Shelton
The current
world No. 17 took to social media to express his opinion that the ATP 250
Atlanta Open should follow the decision of the Mexican Open and compared his
comments to Andy Murray's 'unpopular opinion,' where Murray recently called for
a Masters 1000 for the South American Golden Swing.
Shelton
mentioned that making this decision would be beneficial not only for the
players but also for the fans, who can attend more during the afternoon and
evening hours:
"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 Atlanta
Open tournament takes place in the middle of the year during the peak of North
American summer, subjecting the players to high temperatures. Shelton added,
'Daytime in ATL in July is unbearable.'
Successful Start in Acapulco
Shelton
faced a tough battle in his debut in Mexico. The American went up against the
talented Dan Evans (No. 41) and had to come from a set down to secure the
victory in the third-set tie-break, winning 2-6, 7-5, 7-6(5).
Shelton will face
23-year-old Matteo Arnaldi (No. 42) in the second round, who caused an upset in
his debut by defeating the 4th seed Taylor Fritz 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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