Two tennis players recently revealed separate threatening messages that included a picture of a gun and called for their families to be harmed if they did not lose their upcoming matches.
Earlier this week, Italian Lucrezia Stefanini, ranked 138th in the world, revealed the details of the threat she received before a match in the Indian Wells Open in California, while Hungarian Pana Udvardi, ranked 95th in the world, detailed the harassing message she sent her before a match in the WTA 125 Antalya tournament in Turkey.
Stefanini, 37, He posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday He recounts the horrific experience.
Stefanini said in Italian: “I received a message via WhatsApp in which I was threatened because of winning yesterday’s match. They threatened me and my family and called my father the name of the place where I was born, and they sent me a picture of a gun.” According to the Associated Press.
Stefanini eventually lost to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva 6-4, 4-6, 4-6.
“I’m filming this video explaining what happened because I don’t think it’s right to put me under this pressure and anxiety before the match,” she said in her video, according to the Associated Press. “I notified the WTA immediately, which provided me with added security… She rallied the entire tournament to make me feel safe.
“Despite all of that, I fought until the end to try to win my match, because I can’t let these people intimidate me.”
Udvardi, 27, posted screenshots early Friday morning of the written threats, which included photos of family members, as well as the gun being held by an unseen person.
She said that the messages came the previous day around midnight from an unknown number via the WhatsApp application.
“The person told me that if I don’t lose my match today, they will hurt my family members. They said they know where my family lives, what cars they drive, and that they have their phone numbers. They even sent pictures of my family members and a picture of a gun,” Udvardi wrote on Instagram.
“Honestly, it was very scary to receive something like this. I immediately called the WTA supervisor, sent the screenshots, and informed my parents. Then my parents called the consulate, and when I woke up this morning I also spoke again with the WTA supervisor. I was told that similar threats had recently occurred to other players and that they believe personal information may have leaked from the WTA database, which is currently being investigated.”
Udvardi said the consulate responded quickly and sent three police officers to attend the match, which she appreciated, and the police went to the homes of her parents and grandparents.
She said that she filed a report with the police in Türkiye after her match on Friday.
Udvardi beat Polina Kudermetova 6-4, 7-6 in the round of 16 on Thursday, before losing to Anhelina Kalinina 7-6, 7-5 in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“But I want to say something clearly: This is not normal. Even as athletes or public figures, it is not acceptable for us to receive threats against our families, especially not on our private phone numbers and next to disturbing images. We should not normalize such violations in sports,” she wrote.
“I hope the WTA continues to seriously investigate this situation and takes stronger steps to protect players’ personal data and safety and notify players immediately if there is a violation of their system. No player should have to deal with something like this.”
Angelo Benaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, called for legal action due to the “unbearable” situation.
Italian tennis player Mattia Bellucci has reportedly received similar threats recently.
“Sending pictures of weapons, knowing personal information and intimidation towards an athlete represents an increase in disturbing quality that has nothing to do with sports,” Binagi said, according to the Associated Press. “Anyone who believes they can adapt the game through fear…should know they have entered criminal territory. This type of behavior deserves an immediate legal response.”