Matteo Berrettini Exposes Death Threats From Bettors and Calls for ATP Player Protection

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini has raised serious concerns regarding the dark side of sports betting while speaking to the media at the US Open.

He revealed that both he and his family have been targeted by hostile gamblers who sent terrifying messages following match outcomes. The former world No. 6 explained that the harassment escalated to explicit threats of violence directed at his relatives.

According to Berrettini, the alarming incident occurred earlier in the season during Roland Garros when angry bettors reached out directly to his brother via text message. The perpetrators demanded that Berrettini lose his matches and explicitly threatened to kill his family if their demands were ignored. Both Berrettini and his brother immediately reported these malicious communications and phone numbers to the ATP.

Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Berrettini called upon tennis governing bodies to establish a much stronger committee or protective framework for players. He noted that while he and his brother are thirty-year-old adults capable of handling pressure, younger players and female athletes could find such frightening encounters deeply distressing.

The Italian stressed that safeguarding competitors from gambling-related harassment must be treated as an absolute top priority on the professional tour. He said in the presser:

I think we need to protect the players and do everything possible to create a safe environment for everyone. Yes. I won a match and there were things written like: ‘Matteo is so bad that if you don’t tell him to lose, we will kill your family,’ or ‘we will do this or that.’ We were threatened. But we are thirty years old, we’re adults, but when I think of the girls and younger people, receiving this kind of message can be terrifying. We are tennis players, so it’s important to protect ourselves.

This alarming revelation highlights a growing trend of online abuse and gambling pressure plaguing modern professional tennis. Players are increasingly exposed to disgruntled bettors through social media channels and direct messaging apps. Berrettini’s public stance serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced security measures in the sport.

Stan Wawrinka’s US Open farewell

Stan Wawrinka officially brought an end to his illustrious Grand Slam career during the opening round of the 2026 US Open. The 41-year-old three-time major champion fought valiantly before falling in straight sets to Matteo Berrettini.

The match concluded with a scoreline of 7-6(4), 7-6(3), 6-0 on the packed Grandstand court in New York. Although Wawrinka pushed the first two sets into tight tie-breaks, he ultimately ran out of physical energy in the third set.

Following the final point, an emotional on-court ceremony celebrated Wawrinka’s monumental two-decade contribution to the sport. The veteran Swiss player delivered a tearful farewell speech expressing profound gratitude to the New York fans for their unwavering support.

This emotional exit closes the chapter on one of the defining careers of modern men’s tennis. Wawrinka retires with three Grand Slam singles titles and a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of his generation.

Matteo Berrettini’s match victory

Matteo Berrettini secured his progression to the second round of the US Open following his straight-sets victory over Stan Wawrinka. The Italian acknowledged that he faced a tough test during the opening two competitive sets before taking full control of the match.

By successfully navigating two high-pressure tie-breaks, Berrettini managed to seize the crucial momentum. He noted that winning those tight opening frames allowed him to settle down and dictate terms physically in the third set.

The victory marks a significant start for Berrettini at Flushing Meadows as he looks to make a deep run in the tournament. He is scheduled to face Argentine player Mariano Navone in the next round of the competition.

Maintaining this focus will be critical as Berrettini advances deeper into the draw. His ability to overcome early-match resistance demonstrates his readiness for the challenges ahead in New York.

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