Tennis pro shares spine-chilling ‘I will track your family and hurt you’ death threat received from gambler

French tennis player took to social media to share a disturbing message he received from a bettor ahead of his Challenger match.

Tennis pro shares spine-chilling ‘I will track your family and hurt you’ death threat received from gambler

Arthur Bouquier (Image via X)

Arthur Bouquier received a death threat from a gambler ahead of his Thionville Challenger first-round match. The World No. 225 took to Instagram to share a message he received on the platform from a bettor.

Bouquier was scheduled to lock horns with Germany’s Florian Broska, who is ranked No.522. The gambler had bet 2000 euros on Bouquier and threatened him to win the match in straight sets against a player who had never won a first-round match to avoid risking serious harm.

YouTube video

I swear, if you lose, I will never forgive you. I will track you and your family down just to hurt you, even if it means going to prison. Might as well, because if I lose these 2000 euros, I’ll be out on the streets, so my life won’t make sense anymore. I might as well spend my days in prison.

The bettor wrote

The Frenchman had tagged ATP Tour, ITF, and the Thionville tournament. They are yet to comment on the incident.

FS Video

I swear on my mother’s life that I will come after you. Right now, I am at the court in Thionville, where you’re playing exactly at 15:20. Be careful. These are not empty threats.

The bettor added

Check out Bouquier’s post here:

Online abuse from bettors has gotten quite worse over the last few years and players have now started voicing concerns over their safety from potential threats. Former World No.4 Caroline Garcia last year shared some disturbing messages she received from gamblers. World No. 10 Paula Badosa also urged players to speak up more about these issues, while World No.2 Iga Swiatek said she avoids opening her inboxes.

Arthur Bouquier aiming for second Challenger title of the season

Arthur Bouquier had won a Challenger title last month. After overcoming Calvin Hemery, Bouquier set up the final clash with Lucas Pouille in the Play in Challenger.

Arthur Bouquier (2)
Arthur Bouquier (Image via X)

Bouquier had won the first set and was on the verge of winning the second. Pouille, however, threw in the towel and withdrew from the match as he tore his Achilles tendon.

The 24-year-old then participated at the Terega Open Pau–Pyrenees Challenger and made it to the semifinal. He suffered a straight-set defeat to eventual champion Raphael Collignon.

Bouquier then arrived in Thionville and beat Florian Broska in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. He is also playing doubles with compatriot Dan Added and the pair is set to kickstart their campaign against David Pel and Jakub Paul.