Security Fears Force ATP Warning to Mexican Open Players

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has warned the competitors of the upcoming Mexican Open in the troubled Pacific resort of Acapulco, over security issues, advising players against travelling outside hotels.

Players were advised to leave the city immediately after being eliminated from the tournament despite the Mexican government assuring the ATP that appropriate security measures have been put in place.

The Associated Press news agency quotes local police as saying that, several arrests have been made following a recent spate of drug-related violence in the city and a weekend of attacks on taxis in the city left 12 drivers or passengers dead.

In January, the bodies of 15 headless men were found outside a shopping centre in the resort but despite this, defending men’s singles champion, Spaniard David Ferrer, has said he has no fears about being there.

But David Nalbandian of Argentina said on Saturday he was thinking about withdrawing, adding that he also had a groin injury: “It’s a great and enjoyable tournament to play,” he said.

“But for right now it’s a little more difficult because of the security situation. We [players] are a bit scared about this and we’re trying to decide what to do.”