Remembering Alejandro Burillo, leading figure in Mexican tennis | ATP Tour

Obituary

Remembering Alejandro Burillo, main determine in Mexican tennis

Burillo based Mextenis in 1992

April 18, 2026

Alejandro Burillo, the enterprise visionary who helped set up Mexico as a key vacation spot in skilled tennis together with his management and keenness, handed away on the age of 74.

Born in 1951, Burillo turned probably the most influential figures within the growth {of professional} tennis in Mexico. In 1992, he based Mextenis, an organisation that may go on to play a central position in bringing world-class tennis to the area. Only one 12 months later, his ambition was realised when Mexico Metropolis debuted on the ATP Tour in 1993, marking the start of a long-lasting legacy that may reshape the game’s presence in Latin America.

By Burillo’s stewardship, what’s now the Acapulco event grew into probably the most prestigious and vibrant stops on the circuit. Initially staged on clay for 20 years earlier than transitioning to onerous courts, the occasion advanced with the fashionable sport whereas sustaining its distinctive id. Set in opposition to the Pacific shoreline, it turned famend not just for its ambiance but additionally for persistently attracting lots of the sport’s largest stars, akin to four-time champion and former No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings, Rafael Nadal.

“We’re very unhappy with the information of Alejandro Burillo passing away,” mentioned Santiago Gonzalez, the Mexican doubles star who has reached two finals in Acapulco. “He was an important man, an important sports activities man. First in soccer, then in tennis. He launched Acapulco and made it top-of-the-line tournaments on the planet. We’ll miss him and I want his household all the most effective.”

A distinguished businessman, Burillo was the founding father of Grupo Pegaso and a extremely revered determine in Mexico’s company panorama. His profession spanned telecommunications, media and sport, and he was recognized for figuring out alternatives to put money into tasks with long-term cultural and financial impression. He additionally held management roles in soccer administration in Mexico, additional underlining his broad affect throughout the sporting world.

Regardless of his success in enterprise, Burillo remained intently related to tennis and its development. He was instrumental in constructing relationships with gamers, governing our bodies and sponsors, serving to to raise the usual and profile of occasions in Mexico. His efforts contributed to elevated visibility for the game within the area and impressed higher participation on the grassroots degree.

Those that labored alongside him bear in mind Burillo as a decided and forward-thinking chief who believed deeply in Mexico’s skill to host world-class sporting occasions. His dedication to excellence and his willingness to innovate helped set new benchmarks for ATP Tour occasions within the area.

Burillo’s legacy lives on by way of the tournaments he constructed, the alternatives he created and the lasting impression he made on tennis in Mexico and past. There at the moment are two ATP Tour occasions in Mexico: The ATP 500 in Acapulco and the ATP 250 in Los Cabos.