Tennis authorities are facing mounting pressure to evacuate players stranded in Mexico as violent unrest sweeps across the nation following the killing of notorious drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."
Mexico's most wanted man died on Sunday after Mexican special forces conducted a military operation in the town of Tapalpa, located in the western state of Jalisco.
The head of the feared Jalisco New Generation cartel, which plays a central role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States, was targeted during a security operation to arrest him, according to Mexico's defence ministry.
His death has triggered a wave of retaliatory violence, with cartel members setting vehicles ablaze, erecting roadblocks and engaging in clashes with security forces across eight Mexican states.
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The turmoil coincides with two major professional tennis tournaments taking place in the country this week.
British number one Cameron Norrie, 30, is scheduled to compete tonight at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, where he faces Spanish wildcard Rafael Jodar as the third match on the main court.
Fellow Brit Katie Boulter, 29, is meanwhile due to take on Beatriz Haddad Maia at the WTA's Merida Open, also as the third fixture on court.
World number four Alexander Zverev headlines the Acapulco draw, whilst former Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini tops the field in Merida.
An aerial view of the Arena GNP Seguros during the Mexico ATP Tennis Open 500 in Acapulco
|GETTY
Tennis broadcaster Brett Haber, who recently departed Mexico, has called on tour organisers to take immediate action to protect players.
He wrote on X: "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."
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El Mencho's death has triggered a wave of retaliatory violence
|REUTERS
Ellison, the 81-year-old billionaire with an estimated fortune of £142 billion, owns the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California.
The venue hosts one of the sport's most prestigious events outside the grand slams, beginning on March 4.
Acapulco sits approximately 450 miles from Tapalpa, where the cartel boss was killed.
Merida lies on the opposite side of Mexico in the Yucatan state, roughly 1,400 miles distant.
Mexico's most wanted man died on Sunday after Mexican special forces conducted a military operation in the town of Tapalpa
|REUTERS
The US State Department has issued shelter-in-place warnings for American citizens in Jalisco and Tamaulipas, as well as parts of Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.
Canadian authorities have similarly advised their nationals to avoid non-essential travel to numerous Mexican regions.
They cite elevated levels of violence and organised criminal activity.
Main draw action in Acapulco is set to commence at midnight UK time, with Merida's matches beginning at 8pm tonight.
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