MEXICO CITY — On Wednesday, the Mexican Tennis Federation announced the cancellation of a junior tournament held in the central state of Guanajuato due to a troubling incident involving ten underage players and a coach subjected to a “virtual” kidnapping.

Virtual kidnapping is a deceptive extortion tactic that coerces victims into paying a ransom by leading them to believe that a family member is in imminent danger. Unlike traditional kidnappings, the perpetrators, who may sometimes be incarcerated, do not physically abduct anyone; instead, they manipulate the victims through psychological means to achieve their demands.

The tournament in question, known as J30 or Juniors 30, is recognized as the lowest-tier event within the International Tennis Federation’s framework. It was taking place in Irapuato, a city within Guanajuato state when the distressing scenario unfolded.

The affected players, along with their coach, hail from the central state of Queretaro. Fortunately, the federation confirmed that they have all safely returned to their homes. The incident highlights the ongoing issues related to crime and security in the area, prompting immediate action from the federation to ensure the safety of youth players in the sport.