Mexican Open tennis organizers REFUSE to cancel tournament despite cartel violence and fears for player safety
The organizers of the Mexican Open have defiantly insisted that the tournament will go ahead, despite concerns for players' safety.
The ATP 500 event, which features the likes of World No 4 Alexander Zverev, US star Frances Tiafoe and Britain's Cameron Norrie, begins on Monday in Acapulco.
However, tournament chiefs for both the men's Mexican Open and the WTA's Merida Open, which is also held in Mexico, have faced calls for the events to be canceled after violence erupted following the death of the country's most wanted cartel boss.
Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, who was Mexico's most wanted man and the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel, was killed on Sunday during a security operation to arrest him, according to the country's defense ministry.
The drug baron's death sparked violent retaliation, with chaos sweeping through the nation. In response, the US government has warned its citizens to shelter in five Mexican states, including Guerrero, where the ATP tournament takes place.
Global Affairs Canada has also urged people to 'avoid non-essential travel' to dozens of areas in Mexico 'due to high levels of violence and organized crime.'
The organizers of the Mexican Open have defiantly insisted that the tournament will go ahead
Chaos has engulfed Mexico in the week the ATP and WTA are hosting tournaments there
Yet, despite fears for the safety of players in Mexico for this week's tournament, organizers have shut down speculation that the event could be canceled.
'The supposed cancellation of the event due to security issues in Jalisco is false,' the Mexican Open said in a statement, per the BBC.
It added: 'The event continues as scheduled and tournament operations are proceeding normally.
'We remain in coordination and constant communication with federal, state, and municipal authorities, under the established security protocols.'
El Mencho died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.
He was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguard and the military commandos sent to apprehend him, and died while being transported from Tapalpa in Jalisco to Mexico City.
Armed groups of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and feared criminal organisations in Mexico, have responded by blocking roads and setting fire to supermarkets, banks and vehicles, including in Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara, a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The CJNG is one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels and has played a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US.
Violence broke out in Mexico after notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was killed
The National Guard have been patrolling the area where the body of El Mencho was taken to
The Merida Open, an event on the WTA which features British star Katie Boulter and America's Emma Navarro and Ann Li among the top seeds, takes place in the state of Yucatan.
Yucatan does not appear to have been significantly affected by the violence and tournament organizers have yet to comment on the conflict.
Soccer events in the country have also been impacted by the chaos, with a women's match suspended mid-game following reports of gunfire near the stadium.
The match between Club Necaxa and Queretaro Femenil in Mexico's women's top flight was brought to a sudden halt on Sunday by the referee, and the players rushed to the dressing rooms for safety.
The women's soccer match at Victoria Stadium took place 230 miles from where El Mencho had been captured in the mountain town of Tapalpa.
The delay lasted around 15 minutes, with authorities reporting that the noises were in fact coming from the exhaust pipes of cars participating in a nearby event.
Meanwhile Mexico's men's top flight, Liga MX, announced on Sunday that Monday's match between Queretaro and FC Juarez would be rescheduled. Guadalajara's game against Club America in the women's league has also been postponed.
Two men's second-tier matches were also suspended, with Liga Expansion MX announcing on social media that the games between Jaiba Brava and Correcaminos, and Tapatio and Tlaxcala, will be rescheduled.
Mexico national football team have a friendly against Iceland national football team scheduled for Wednesday at Estadio Corregidora in central Mexico.
