Two professional women’s tennis players have revealed they received frightening threats that included photos of guns and warnings that their families could be harmed if they did not lose upcoming matches.
Lucrezia Stefanini and Panna Udvardy both spoke publicly about the messages, which were reportedly sent through WhatsApp before separate tournaments.
The threats appeared to be attempts to manipulate match results, with anonymous senders demanding that the players intentionally lose.
Lucrezia Stefanini, ranked No. 138 in the world, said she received a message before a qualifying match at the Indian Wells Open in California.
“I received a WhatsApp message in which I was threatened over winning yesterday’s match. They threatened me and my family and named my parents, the place where I was born, and they sent me a photo of a gun,” Stefanini said.
The Italian player later explained she decided to speak publicly because the situation placed immense pressure on her before stepping onto the court.
“I’m making this video and explaining what happened because I don’t think it’s right to put me under this pressure and unease before a match,” she said.
Stefanini immediately reported the incident to the WTA, which increased security around her during the tournament.
Another player reports similar intimidation before match
Hungarian player Panna Udvardy, currently ranked No. 95, revealed she experienced a similar situation ahead of a tournament in Antalya, Turkey.
She shared screenshots of threatening messages that also included photos of her relatives and an image of a gun.
“The person told me that if I didn’t lose my match today, they would harm members of my family. They said they knew where my family lives, what cars they drive and that they had their phone numbers. They even sent photos of my family members and a picture of a gun,” Udvardy wrote.
“It was honestly very scary to receive something like this.”
Udvardy alerted officials and informed her family, who contacted authorities. Police officers were sent to the match and also visited the homes of her relatives to ensure their safety.
Both players continued competing despite the intimidation, but the incidents have raised serious concerns within the sport.
Officials are now investigating whether a leak of personal information may have exposed private details about players, while tennis leaders have called for stronger protections to prevent similar threats in the future.
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