The other reality of Acapulco is a security and tennis bunker

The main court of the Acapulco Open, during a game between Nadal and Kozlov, this Wednesday, February 23. Eduardo Verdugo (AP)

On the roads that lead to the main stadium of the Acapulco Open, it is mandatory to cross paths with National Guard agents.

The military aspect of their uniforms breaks with the colorful shorts, skirts and caps in the Mexican tournament.

The surroundings of the airport, less than six kilometers from the tennis complex, are also shielded with agents.

“We received information from friends and relatives not to go to the old part of the city because it is dangerous, that we should stay in the tourist area.

They took us there and yes you can tell the difference.

It's like an oasis here in the Open”, says Erick Echeverría, 27 years old.

The Acapulco bunker has its cost.

For those who spent without looking at the bank account and will stay the whole week, they will pay between 12,000 pesos (580 dollars) and 22,000 pesos (1,065), just for tickets and a free drink.

In addition, a covid-19 antigen test must be paid for (another 320 pesos, 15 dollars).

“Acapulco is labeled 'insecure', however, being here, as you can see, it is super safe.

Suddenly some bad news makes the alert go off.

I've been here for four years and I haven't had any incidents”, says Juan Ramón Vega, 43 years old.

It is an environment similar to another of the great international events in Mexico, the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix.

The bad news that Vega is talking about is, at least at the beginning of this year, the wave of extortion of businesses in Acapulco by organized crime.

Groups of armed men have come to restaurants or stores to demand a fee to allow them to work "safely", if they do not do so they can fill the place with shots or, in the extreme, burn them.

Within hours of the start of the sports event, between 70 and 80 stores were burned by three men who doused the businesses with gasoline, according to witnesses.

At the end of January of this year, a lineage taqueria, Tacos Chely, in the traditional area of ​​the city of Acapulco, closed the business due to extortion.

“I have worked honestly for 20 years and because of these criminals I find myself in the need to close my business for fear that they will come and kill me without the authority doing anything,” read a tarp that one of the owners put up.

In September 2021, one of the tourist symbols, the Baby 'O nightclub, was set on fire by three individuals with gasoline cans.

The Federation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism in the State of Guerrero denounced last January that at least 25 businessmen were asked for up to 30,000 pesos to let them work.

AMDEP6705.

ACAPULCO (MEXICO), 02/21/2022.- Fans arrive at the Mundo Imperial Tennis Complex today, where the Mexican Tennis Open is being held in Acapulco (Mexico).

EFE/David Guzmán GonzálezDAVID GUZMAN GONZALEZ (EFE)

“My friend Montse's father has a house here.

We only come to watch tennis and to the house.

From home to tennis”, sums up Omar Martínez.

"If we are going to drink something, we do it at home and not in bars," adds Montse Aguilar, his companion.

And both, well protected by sunscreen, agree on something: "Violence is everywhere."

“For Acapulco's reputation to change, it depends on the government.

Of course we documented a bit of the situation before coming, but that did not influence.

Nadal, yes”, says Karen Sánchez.

76.6% of the inhabitants of Acapulco felt insecure, according to the latest balance of the security perception survey of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).

Inside the so-called GNP Arena, there is another reality that is measured in mojitos and a good seafood cocktail.

Or even wild boar tacos.

Despite the requirement of the mask, attendees enjoy a great time without it.

Entrepreneurs such as Arturo Elías Ayub, from América Móvil;

the model Marta Stepien or the singer Emmanuel who will sing on the day of the final.

Of course, the great tennis players of the world like Daniil Medvedev, Rafa Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas have also enjoyed the bubble of the Mexican Open.

subscribe here

to the

of EL PAÍS México and receive all the informative keys of the current affairs of this country

Exclusive content for subscribers

read without limits

subscribe

I'm already a subscriber