Tennis bosses urged to rescue stars in Mexico after chaotic scenes from cartel boss’s demise
Announcer Brett Haber has called for ATP and WTA tours to rescue tennis stars from Mexico after violence erupted following the death of drug baron Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’
Mexico has been left in chaos after violent scenes over the weekend(Image: AP)
Tennis bosses have faced demands to evacuate players from Mexico after violence erupted across the nation following the death of one of the most notorious drug kingpins. Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, dubbed ‘El Mencho’, died on Sunday after sustaining severe injuries during battles between his followers and military forces.
Cervantes headed the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel, which smuggled methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US. Cartel members reacted to his demise by torching vehicles, erecting roadblocks, and engaging in fierce confrontations with security personnel.
The turmoil has unfolded during a week when both the ATP and WTA are staging tournaments in the nation.
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Alexander Zverev, Alex de Minaur and Britain’s Cameron Norrie are all set to compete in the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, whilst Emma Navarra and Ann Li feature amongst the leading seeds at the WTA’s Merida Open.
Nevertheless, commentator Brett Haber has urged both tours to withdraw their players from the country amidst the weekend’s mayhem. “Just left Mexico. Police activity at the airport was insane,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
“Polite suggestion to the @atprour & @WTA – and to Larry Ellison: 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,” reports the Express.
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Acapulco has confirmed that the Mexican Open will not be cancelled despite the events in the country. Four Liga MX games have been suspended in the aftermath.
‘El Mencho’s’ demise occurred in the town of Tapalpa, 450 miles along the coast from Acapulco. The US State Department has issued a shelter-in-place warning to US citizens in Jalisco and Tamaulipas, as well as certain parts of Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.
The Canadian government has also advised individuals to ‘avoid non-essential travel’ to regions of the country due to ‘high levels of violence and organised crime‘.
