according to the Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\nStefanini ultimately lost, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6, in the qualifying round Monday to Victoria Jim\u00e9nez Kasintseva.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m making this video and explaining what happened because I don\u2019t think it\u2019s right to put me under this pressure and unease before a match,\u201d she said in her video, per the AP. \u201cI immediately alerted the WTA, which provided me with more security. \u2026 The entire tournament mobilized to make me feel safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite it all, I fought until the end to try and win my match, because I can\u2019t permit these people to intimidate me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Udvardy, 27, posted screenshots early Friday morning of the written threats, which included images of family members, plus the gun, which was being held by an unseen individual.<\/p>\n
She said the messages came the previous day around midnight from an unknown number via WhatsApp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe person told me that if I didn\u2019t 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,\u201d Udvardy wrote on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was honestly very scary to receive something like this. I immediately contacted the WTA (Women\u2019s Tennis Association) supervisor, sent the screenshots, and informed my parents. My parents then contacted the consulate, and when I woke up this morning I also spoke again with the WTA supervisor. I was told that similar threats have recently happened to other players and that they believe personal information may have leaked from the WTA database, which is currently being investigated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Udvardy said the consulate provided a swift response and sent three police officers to her match, which she appreciated, and police went to her parents\u2019 and grandparents\u2019 respective houses.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2259744216.jpg\")
Lucrezia Stefanini said she received a threatening message before a recent matc. Getty Images<\/p>\n
She said she filed a police report in Turkey after her match Friday.<\/p>\n
Udvardy defeated Polina Kudermetova, 6-4, 7-6, in the Round of 16 on Thursday before losing to Anhelina Kalinina, 7-6, 7-5, in the quarterfinals Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I want to say something clearly: this is not normal. Even as athletes or public figures, it\u2019s not acceptable to receive threats against our families, especially not on our private phone numbers and alongside disturbing images. We should not normalize abuse like this in sport,\u201d she wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope the WTA continues investigating this situation seriously and takes stronger steps to protect players personal data and safety and to inform players immediately if there is a breach in their system. No player should have to deal with something like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Panna](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-hungarys-panna-udvardy-action-119249383.jpg\")
Panna Udvardy competing in January 2026. REUTERS<\/p>\n
Angelo Binaghi, the president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, called for legal action to be taken due to the \u201cintolerable\u201d situation.<\/p>\n
Italian men\u2019s tennis player Mattia Belucci reportedly also received similar threats recently.<\/p>\n
\u201cSending images of weapons, knowledge of personal information and intimidation toward an athlete marks an increase of disturbing quality that doesn\u2019t have anything to do with sports,\u201d Binaghi said, according to the AP. \u201cWhoever thinks they can condition a match through fear \u2026 should know that they have entered criminal territory. This kind of behavior deserves an immediate legal response.\u201d<\/p>\n
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