ITF Junior Event In Mexico Cancelled After Players, Coach 'Virtually Kidnapped' - UBITENNIS

ITF Junior Event In Mexico Cancelled After Players, Coach ‘Virtually Kidnapped’

By Adam Addicott
2 Min Read

The Mexican Tennis Federation (FMT) has scrapped an ITF event taking place in the country this week after 10 players and their coach were affected by a virtual kidnapping scheme.

The International JR Cup J30 Irapuato was a low-level junior event held in Guanajuato, where mainly national players took part. In a press release issued, it was confirmed that a tennis coach, six female players and four male players have been victims of an extortion attempt. All of the players involved are minors.

Virtual kidnapping is the process of manipulating people into paying a ransom by making them believe that their loved ones are in danger when they have not been physically taken. The FMT has confirmed that all of those who have been affected are now back with their families. According to local authorities quoted by Infobae, the incident unfolded at an unnamed hotel which is where the players and their coach were rescued. Full details of what took place have not been publically disclosed due to an ongoing police investigation.

“The Mexican Tennis Federation informs that, in collaboration with the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and following our recommendation, it has been decided to cancel the ongoing J30 tournament in Irapuato,” the organization mentions in its statement.

“Since the beginning of the events, we have worked in coordination with the competent authorities, who have indicated that what happened does not represent a problem of public insecurity.”

There have been no threats made to other events currently taking place in the country and they are continuing as normal. This week a WTA 250 tournament is taking place in Mérida with world No.62 Renata Zarazúa being the highest-ranked player in the draw. Furthermore, five ITF junior events are scheduled to take place throughout November.

The AFP News Agency reported earlier this month that Guanajuato was Mexico’s most violent state based on official homicide statistics.  

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