ATP Postpones Guayaquil Challenger amid Escalating Violence in Ecuador
Guayaquil, Ecuador – October 17, 2025 – the Association of Professional Tennis Players (ATP) has postponed the Challenger ATP tour event scheduled for Guayaquil, ecuador, citing concerns for player safety. Local organizers confirmed the decision today,stating the tournament,originally planned for October 27 – November 2,is indefinitely postponed “by order of the ATP.”
“The reason they told us is concern for the safety of players and the development of the tournament in general at the discretion of the ATP Challenger Tours,” explained tournament organizer Andrés Gómez, alongside co-organizer Luis Adrián Morejón, in a released statement.
The decision follows a recent surge in violence across Ecuador, highlighting the deteriorating security situation. This week alone, soccer player Bryan ‘Cuco’ angulo of Liga de Portoviejo was injured in an armed attack on thursday in the coastal province of Manabí while preparing for training. Angulo was ambushed by assailants on motorcycles as he approached the Reales Tamarindos stadium in Portoviejo.
Further escalating tensions, a car bomb detonated Tuesday night outside a shopping centre and an office building linked to the family of President Daniel Noboa in Guayaquil’s financial district, resulting in one fatality and thirty injuries. Additionally, explosives were detonated early Wednesday morning on two bridges, one in the coastal province of Guayas and another in the Andean province of Azuay.
Ecuador has been under a state of ”internal armed conflict” since 2024, declared by president Noboa in an effort to combat escalating criminal gang activity, which he has labeled as “terrorism.” The country currently holds the highest homicide rate in Latin America, a outcome of the increasing violence attributed to these groups.
The ATP’s postponement underscores the growing impact of the security crisis on sporting events within Ecuador and reflects a prioritization of athlete well-being. Further updates regarding the rescheduling of the Challenger event will be announced as the situation develops.
