A recent gang rape of six Spanish tourists and a massive crime wave have prompted the organizers of the Acapulco tournament to deploy a gigantic security operation of 4,000 personnel, AFP reports. Rafael Nadal is scheduled to play the event for the first time since 2005.
The men’s and women’s clay-court tournament, held between February 25 and March 2, will once again be held at the Hotel Fairmont Acapulco Princess, which has a 7,500-seat stadium. Cars will be checked before entering the facility.
Acapulco has been called Mexico’s deadliest city, with a turf war between major drug gangs going on for years. AFP reported that the security force would be three times the size of Acapulco’s own police force, and will feature the military as well as state and municipal police.