Revealed: The strict rule Alex De Minaur has to comply with to remain secure in Mexico as cartel violence grips the nation – as Aussie suffers shock first-round exit
Australian tennis star Alex de Minaur is set to leave Mexico after he suffered a shock 6-1, 6-7(4-7), 7-6(7-4) defeat by American world No 103 Patrick Kypson in Acapulco on Tuesday.
The ATP Tour and WTA Tour have both landed in Mexico this week, with De Minaur one of several Aussies in action at the Mexican Open.
His fiancée, Katie Boulter, is also in action at the Merida Open, which is taking place 1,100km east of Acapulco in Yucatan. Boulter advanced to the second round of the tournament on Tuesday morning, after claiming a 6-4, 6-4 victory against Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Both tournaments were initially thrown into doubt after a wave of violence swept its way across Mexico following the death of a notorious drug lord. Thankfully, both events have been able to begin as planned without any problems.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as ‘El Mencho’, the former leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), was killed during a raid by Mexican special forces on Sunday.
The CJNG is considered on eof the country’s most powerful cartels and has played a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the United States, while El Mencho was considered to be Mexico’s most wanted man.
Alex De Minaur and other tennis players in Mexico have been advised to stay in their hotels amid ongoing violence in Mexico (pictured with fiancée Katie Boulter)
Violence has swept through Mexico in recent days after one of the country’s most wanted men was killed during a special operation
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as ‘El Mencho’, the former leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), was killed during a raid by Mexican special forces on Sunday
The gang leader had been seriously injured in a firefight that took place between military commandos and his bodyguards. He is understood to have died while being transported from Tapalpa in Jalisco to Mexico City. Six of El Mencho’s bodyguards were reported to have died in the operation.
As a result, members of the cartel have launched attacks around the country, setting up roadblocks, burning down local businesses and clashing with members of the country’s defence ministry.
Authorities have instructed residents to seek shelter in their homes, while the Australian government is advising against all but essential travel to the state of Jalisco following the ‘serious security incidents’ that have taken place across the state.
The security issues have since raised concerns about whether Mexico will be able to host FIFA World Cup matches this summer, with four games set to be played at Estadio Guardalajara in Jalisco.
Aussie stars, Tristan Schoolkate, James Duckworth, Adam Walton, Rinky Hijikata and Bernard Tomic are all competing in the ATP 500 in Acapulco this week.
Priscilla Hon, meanwhile, is the lone Aussie player in the main draw at the Merida Open.
Australia’s Davis Cup physiotherapist Dalibor Bendzala, who is also on the ground in Mexico, revealed that the tours have been continually engaging with players to ensure their safety.
‘The tournament and ATP have been in constant contact and updating us on the current situation in Mexico,’ Bendzala told The Sydney Morning Herald.
Boulter is also in action at the Merida Open and advanced to the second round of the tournament with a straight-sets victory against Beatriz Haddad Maia on Tuesday
De Minaur, meanwhile, crashed out of the first round of the Mexican Open in Acapulco on Tuesday after suffering defeat by world No 103 Patrick Kypson
‘They have assured us of extra security to the airport when departing. Security on site had already been strong, and in recent days, has been stepped up and more evident.
‘[We have] strong advice not to leave the grounds of the hotel, and routes for transport have even been altered to ensure we don’t need to leave the site if not necessary.
‘Otherwise, it feels like a safe cocoon here with many people holidaying and attending the popular tournament.’
Other top players, including Alexander Zverev, Cameron Norrie and Emma Navarro, are also set to play in Acapulco and Merida.
Jalisco is located around 1,400km northwest of Acapulco.
Mexican Open bosses have also been keeping fans and players updated on how the tournament will progress, revealing that organisers have been in regular contact with the authorities regarding the conflicts.
‘The event continues as scheduled and tournament operations are proceeding normally,’ Mexican Open bosses said in a statement.
‘We remain in coordination and constant communication with federal, state and municipal authorities, under the established security protocols.’
Mexican Open bosses have also been keeping fans and players updated on how the tournament will progress, revealing that organisers have been in regular contact with the authorities regarding the conflicts
Tennis Channel commentator Brett Haber called on the ATP Tour and WTA to cancel both tournaments
The Australian government is advising against all but essential travel to the state of Jalisco following the ‘serious security incidents’ that have taken place across the state
Yucatan, meanwhile, does not appear to have been seriously affected by the violence. WTA tournament bosses are yet to release a statement on the security matter.
However, some have called on the ATP and WTA Tours to postpone both events.
Tennis Channel commentator Brett Haber took to X on Monday to write: ‘Just left Mexico. Police activity at the airport was insane. Polite suggestion to the ATP Tour and WTA Tour — 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.’
De Minaur’s upset came after the Aussie secured a huge win at the ATP500 in Rotterdam at the beginning of February.
However, the victory appeared to have knocked the steam out of the world No 6, who struggled to get going against Kypson, with the American taking a 5-0 lead in the first set.
De Minaur quickly recovered to win the second set following a tiebreak. He toiled with Kypson in the final set, taking the match to a final set tiebreak, but frustratingly, De Minaur slammed a return shot into the net, gifting his opponent a match point.
Despite the rising tensions in Mexico, De Minaur was able to get out for a round of golf over the weekend, publishing a snap of himself playing golf, with the caption: ‘Sassy Sunday in Acapulco’.
After disappointingly crashing out in the first round of the Australian Open, Boulter, like her fiancé, also bounced back at the start of February with a huge win at the Ostrava Open.
After dropping just two sets during that tournament, she returned on Tuesday to dispatch Haddad Maia in a topsy-turvy match.
Boulter and De Minaur announced their engagement in December 2024 and confirmed they are planning to get married later this year
Though the scoreline might suggest that this was a dominant display from Boulter, the Brit was forced to fight hard to hold service against her opponent, with the Brazilian trading breakpoints with the Brit early on.
At 1-1, Haddad Maia saved three break points before Boulter piled on the pressure to briefly take the lead. The pair exchanged breaks again late into the set, with Boulter gaining a crucial victory on Haddad Maia’s serve at 4-4, before going on to win the first set 6-4.
The Brit started brightly again in the second set, going 3-0 up before she struggled to defend on her own serve. Haddad Maia would pull the match back to 4-2, but by then it was too little too late with Boulter wrapping up the match in one hour and 58 minutes.
Boulter will now play against either No 6 seed Janice Tjen or Camila Osorio in the second round in Merida.
