Mexican Open Defies Cartel Violence, Refuses to Cancel Despite “El Mencho” Fallout
Thamani Popular, Latest, Tennis
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:

  • Vehicles torched

  • Roads blocked

  • Businesses burned

  • 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.

 

“This Is Not a Drill”: Tennis Channel Analyst Begs ATP to Evacuate Players as Cartel Violence Engulfs Mexico
Thamani Sport, Featured, Popular, Tennis, Trending
“This Is Not a Drill”: Tennis Channel Analyst Begs ATP to Evacuate Players as Cartel Violence Engulfs Mexico

El Mencho’s death sparks nationwide terror, leaving Acapulco Open status in doubt as players face “insane” security situation

 

 

February 23, 2026 | 4 min read

The Acapulco Open was supposed to showcase tennis. Instead, it’s become a question of survival.

A wave of cartel violence has swept across Mexico following the military killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. And now the ATP 500 tournament in Acapulco—featuring Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur, Casper Ruud, Frances Tiafoe, and Grigor Dimitrov—faces an uncertain future.

Brett Haber, analyst for Tennis Channel, didn’t mince words after witnessing the situation firsthand.

“Just left Mexico,” Haber posted online. “Police activity at the airport was insane.”

His plea to the ATP and WTA was urgent and direct:

“Get one plane to Acapulco and one to Merida and get everybody out of there—and put them up for an extra week at Indian Wells to train and be safe.

“This is not a drill.”

The Tournament’s Response

 

The Abierto Mexicano quickly pushed back against cancellation rumors.

Statement Detail
Cancellation “The statement circulating is false”
Event status “Proceeding as planned”
Operations “Running normally”
Security “Constant coordination with authorities”

But organizers insisting everything is fine while cartels burn vehicles across 20 states? That’s a tough sell.

What’s Happening in Mexico

Event Detail
Who El Mencho (CJNG leader)
How Died in custody after firefight with special forces
Casualties 6 cartel guards killed, 3 soldiers wounded
Retaliation Cartel members torching vehicles, blocking roads, burning businesses
States affected Jalisco, Baja California, Quintana Roo, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas

In Puerto Vallarta, tourists sheltered in place as smoke rose from burning vehicles. In Guadalajara, airport travelers ran for cover after hearing nearby gunfire. Around 300 stranded passengers needed police escorts to reach safety.

The Jalisco governor declared a “code red,” suspending:

  • Public transport

  • Mass events

  • Schools

Authorities reported over 250 road-blocking incidents. 25 individuals were arrested for violence or looting. But tensions remain dangerously high.

The US State Department advised citizens to shelter in place across nine states.

Acapulco’s draw is stacked. Top players flew in expecting tennis. Now they’re facing something no amount of baseline practice prepares you for.

Question Reality
Is the tournament safe? Officials say yes. Eyaewitnesses say “insane.”
Should players leave? Haber says evcuate immediately.
Will the ATP act? Unknown.

Tennis tournaments get postponed for rain. For pandemics. For scheduling conflicts.

But for cartel violence spreading across 20 states after a kingpin’s death? That’s new territory.

Organizers insist the show goes on. But when a Tennis Channel analyst who was just there begs the ATP to evacuate players, maybe it’s time to listen.

“This is not a drill,” Haber said.

The question is: Will the ATP treat it like one?