The tennis world finds itself in the eye of a storm this week as the Mexican Open in Acapulco and the Merida Open in Yucatan press ahead, undeterred by a wave of violence that has swept across Mexico following the death of the country’s most wanted drug lord, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—known as “El Mencho.” The 2026 tournaments, featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, are proceeding under a cloud of heightened security concerns and international scrutiny, with organizers, authorities, and players all striving to balance athletic ambition against the backdrop of national unrest.
El Mencho, leader of the notorious Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed on Sunday, February 22, 2026, during a dramatic security operation in Jalisco. According to the country’s defense ministry, he was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguard and military commandos sent to apprehend him, dying shortly after being captured. His death unleashed a torrent of violence, with CJNG members torching businesses, blocking roads, and forcing civilians into hiding—particularly in Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, which will serve as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite the chaos, the ATP 500 Mexican Open in Acapulco is moving forward. The tournament, which begins on Monday, February 24, 2026, boasts a star-studded field including World No. 4 Alexander Zverev, US standout Frances Tiafoe, and British No. 1 Cameron Norrie, currently ranked 26th in the world. Norrie is scheduled to play Spanish wildcard Rafael Jodar in the first round, with his match set as the third on the main court for the evening session. The main draw action in Acapulco is set to kick off at 6 pm local time (12 am GMT), with Daniel Altmaier facing No. 4 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the opening match.
In Merida, the WTA’s Merida Open is also forging ahead, largely unaffected by the violence that has gripped other parts of the country. British star Katie Boulter, who is scheduled to play Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia as the third match of the day, headlines the event alongside America’s Emma Navarro and Ann Li. The Merida Open’s main draw is set to start at 2 pm local time (8 pm GMT), with Dayana Yastremska opening proceedings against Marina Stakusic. Notably, Merida is located over 1,000 kilometers from Jalisco and about 1,400 miles from Tapalpa, where El Mencho was killed, providing some geographic buffer from the unrest.
Still, the tennis community has not been immune to the anxiety gripping Mexico. The UK government has advised against all but essential travel to Guerrero—the state where Acapulco is located—and other parts of Mexico. The US government has gone further, warning its citizens to shelter in five Mexican states, including Guerrero. Global Affairs Canada has also urged its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to dozens of areas in Mexico due to high levels of violence and organized crime. In response to these warnings, the Mexican Open organizers have issued reassurances. “The supposed cancellation of the event due to security issues in Jalisco is false,” organizers stated, as reported by the BBC. “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.”
The WTA, overseeing the Merida Open, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing increased police presence and additional security measures at the tournament site. “The safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority,” the women’s governing body told BBC Sport. “The tournament is operating as scheduled and there have been no reports of incidents in the region.”
Nonetheless, not everyone is convinced that the show should go on. Tennis broadcaster Brett Haber, recently on the ground in Mexico, described “insane” police activity at the airport and issued a plea on social media: “Just left Mexico. Police activity at the airport was insane. Polite suggestion to the @atptour & @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.” Haber’s call to action underscores the sense of urgency and unease felt by many in the tennis world, especially as Indian Wells—the next major stop on the tennis calendar—looms just days away, with its main draw set to begin March 4, 2026.
The violence has not been confined to tennis. Football matches across Mexico have also been disrupted. Four matches were postponed over the weekend, including a top-tier men’s match between Queretaro and FC Juarez and a women’s game between Chivas and America. Two men’s second-division matches were also called off. A particularly alarming incident occurred during a women’s football match between Club Necaxa and Queretaro Femenil at Victoria Stadium. The match was suspended mid-game after reports of gunfire near the stadium, prompting players to rush to the dressing rooms. Authorities later determined that the noises were caused by car exhausts at a nearby event, and play resumed after a 15-minute delay.
Despite these incidents, the sporting calendar in Mexico remains packed. The Mexico men’s national football team is scheduled to play a friendly against Iceland on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, at Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro. Organizers and federations across sports have reiterated their commitment to maintaining safety and order, but the specter of violence remains ever-present.
As the tennis tournaments get underway, the eyes of the sports world are fixed on Mexico. Will the heightened security and reassurances from authorities be enough to ensure the safety of athletes, staff, and fans? Or will the ongoing unrest force a rethink of major sporting events in the region? For now, players like Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter are focused on their matches, determined to let their tennis do the talking even as uncertainty swirls around them.
With the Mexican Open and Merida Open pushing forward, the resilience of both organizers and competitors is on full display. The coming days will reveal whether the tournaments can proceed without further incident, as the nation’s sporting spirit is tested in extraordinary circumstances.