Mexican Open Defies Cartel Violence, Refuses to Cancel Despite “El Mencho” Fallout
Tournament organizers push back against safety fears as Zverev, De Minaur, and stars prepare to play amid civil unrest
February 23, 2026 | 2 min read
The Mexican Open will go on.
Despite a wave of cartel violence sweeping across Mexico following the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” tournament organizers have confirmed the ATP 500 event will proceed as scheduled.
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Cancellation rumors | “False” |
| Tournament status | “Proceeding normally” |
| Security coordination | “Constant communication with authorities” |
Organizers are projecting confidence. But the situation on the ground tells a different story.
El Mencho died in police custody after being arrested in Jalisco over the weekend. His cartel has responded with coordinated violence across multiple states:
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Vehicles torched
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Roads blocked
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Businesses burned
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Residents ordered to shelter indoors
The US government has issued travel advisories for five states, including Guerrero, where the Mexican Open is being staged.
The Fallout Elsewhere
Tennis isn’t the only sport affected.
| Match | Status |
|---|---|
| Queretaro vs FC Juarez (football) | Postponed |
| Chivas vs America (women’s football) | Postponed |
Football moved quickly to cancel. Tennis is holding firm.
Despite the chaos, the player list remains stacked:
| Seed | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Zverev |
| 2 | Alex de Minaur |
| — | Casper Ruud |
| — | Gael Monfils |
| — | Cameron Norrie |
| — | Grigor Dimitrov |
| — | Frances Tiafoe |
Big names. Big risks. Big questions about whether playing is worth it.
The Other Tournament
The WTA’s Merida Open is also being staged in Mexico this week. But Merida is in Yucatan, a state largely unaffected by the violence. Top seed Jasmine Paolini and the field should face no disruption.
Acapulco? Different story entirely.
Organizers insist it’s safe. The US government advises against travel. Players have to decide who to believe.
The Mexican Open will continue as scheduled. Whether fans show up, whether players feel safe, whether another wave of violence hits Guerrero—those questions remain unanswered.
For now, tennis in Mexico presses on. Business as usual, they say.
Let’s hope they’re right.