By Juan Pablo Sebastián

The Mexican Tennis Federation (FMT) and the Rosarito City Government are planning to host four professional tennis tournaments in 2026 at the Punta Azul Tennis Center.

So far, the dates for two men’s tournaments have been confirmed and included in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) calendar for the first half of the year. These events are scheduled for the first week of May 2026.

Although the women’s tournaments have already been approved for the second half of the year, official dates have not yet been finalized. Tentatively, they are planned for late October and early November 2026.

During a press conference, Carlos Ricardo González López de Lara, president of the Mexican Tennis Federation, announced that prize money will range between $15,000 and $25,000 per tournament.

At this time, participation by major international stars has not been confirmed. The expected field will primarily include players from the United States, Central America, and South America, although European participation has not been ruled out.

“We still don’t know exactly who will be coming, because in tennis, entries usually close about 20 days before a tournament,” González López de Lara explained. “We can’t yet guarantee names, since schedules must be reviewed and participation negotiated. The countries we work most closely with are Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina. However, these tournaments are not limited to the Americas—we have previously hosted players from Russia, Spain, and Italy. Most competitors will likely come from the United States and Latin America, but athletes from other regions could also attend.”

The tournaments are expected to position Rosarito as a venue for high-level sporting events, attract sports tourism, and generate economic activity that will support the city’s tourism promotion efforts.

“Rosarito’s proximity to the United States is a major advantage,” González López de Lara said. “For us as a federation, promoting tennis is essential. Our role is not to organize major events—that responsibility belongs to promoters—but to encourage young people to see themselves playing tennis at a competitive level, not only recreationally. These tournaments help promote tennis statewide and give international visibility to certain regions.”

He also acknowledged the coordination efforts with the Baja California Tennis Association, the Municipal Sports Institute, Mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz, and Councilwoman Mayra Karina Robles Aguirre, who served as the main liaison for the tournaments.

Mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz highlighted that events of this kind help position Playas de Rosarito on international sports platforms while generating significant economic benefits for the city.

“These tournaments not only project Playas de Rosarito on a global stage, but also strengthen our local economy, promote sports, and create real opportunities for our children and youth, who can one day see themselves competing at the professional level,” the mayor said.