Matteo Berrettini reveals family death threats from bettors and calls for ATP safety committee

Intimidation during Roland Garros

Following his 7-6, 7-6, 6-0 victory over Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the US Open in New York, Matteo Berrettini disclosed that his family had received death threats linked to sports betting. The Italian tennis player explained that the hostile messages arrived during the 2026 French Open, where he reached the quarter-finals before retiring in a match against compatriot Matteo Arnaldi. The messages were sent directly to the mobile phone of his younger brother, professional tennis player Jacopo Berrettini.

According to Berrettini, the messages demanded that Jacopo tell his brother to deliberately lose upcoming matches under the threat of physical harm. The senders wrote that the family would be killed if the player continued winning. Berrettini and his team immediately reported the threats to the ATP and provided the organisation with the phone numbers used to send the text messages.

We need to protect the players and do everything possible to create a safe environment for everyone.

Wider abuse across the professional tour

Berrettini explained that gambling-related abuse is widespread across professional tennis, especially on the lower-tier ATP Challenger Tour where court access is less restricted. He recounted situations where spectators stood near the courts specifically to disrupt play and influence outcomes. While noting that experienced players might cope with hostility, he expressed concern for younger athletes entering the circuit.

We are thirty years old, we are adults, but I think of the young women and the younger players who receive this type of message; it can be terrifying. We should create a stronger structure, a committee to protect players.

The disclosure follows several documented harassment cases involving Italian players in 2026. In February 2026, Mattia Bellucci reported heavy abuse on social media following a defeat at the Delray Beach tournament. In March 2026, Lucrezia Stefanini received WhatsApp messages ordering her to lose during qualifying at Indian Wells. Those threats included the names of her parents, her birthplace, and an image of a handgun, which prompted the WTA to assign security guards to escort her to her vehicle. Similar threats and family intimidation targeted Martina Trevisan and Francesco Maestrelli in earlier seasons.

Betting partnerships and tournament security

Berrettini made the comments in response to questions about commercial betting agreements at the tournament. The United States Tennis Association and the US Open announced an agreement with Kalshi as their prediction market partner. Organisers stated that the commercial agreement aims to engage supporters while maintaining competitive integrity.

Berrettini acknowledged that gambling generates substantial revenue for professional tennis and noted that regulated betting can be harmless for spectators when managed responsibly. However, he maintained that tournament organisers and governing bodies must implement strict safety mechanisms to prevent abusive bettors from contacting players and their families.