Cancún, Mexico — Argentine tennis player Thiago Tirante, one of South America’s rising sports stars, has publicly denounced what he described as an act of "corruption" and "abuse of authority" upon arriving at Cancún International Airport. The 24-year-old athlete from La Plata detailed the incident on his social media accounts after landing from the United States following his participation in the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he was eliminated in the first round.
Allegations of Unjustified Fees
According to Tirante, airport officials singled him out for a baggage inspection. Upon opening his luggage, they discovered rolls of tennis string, an essential part of his professional equipment. Despite explaining that the items were work tools, authorities allegedly insisted they were "not personal goods" and demanded he pay a 19% tax on their value.
Tirante claimed that when he asked to see the legal basis for the charge, officials threatened to withhold his passport if he refused to pay. "Faced with that threat and without any legal explanation, I had no choice but to pay," he wrote. "This is corruption, it’s abuse of authority. It’s unacceptable to go through this."
No Official Response
As of now, airport authorities have not issued a public statement addressing Tirante’s allegations.
Background on Thiago Tirante
Tirante, a former junior doubles champion at Roland Garros in 2019 and a winner on the Challenger circuit, has represented Argentina in multiple competitions and is currently working to climb the ATP rankings. His recent accusation has drawn attention to potential irregularities in customs procedures at one of Mexico’s busiest airports.
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