ON
← Back to feed
They threatened my family, they wrote to my brother: Berrettini denounces tennis bettors for shock messages
Italy⚽ SportsCenter9/1/2026

They threatened my family, they wrote to my brother: Berrettini denounces tennis bettors for shock messages

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini has reported receiving death threats targeting his family from gamblers after winning a match at the US Open. The incidents, which occurred during the French Open, involve messages sent to his brother threatening his family if he did not lose. Berrettini emphasized the need for stronger protections for players and called for a dedicated committee to address safety concerns. He noted similar threats against Italian tennis player Lucrezia Stefanini earlier this year. Berrettini explained that gamblers often resort to threats after losing bets, sometimes using fake profiles on social media. While acknowledging the complexity of regulating gambling within the sport, he expressed personal disapproval of casinos but acknowledged their financial role in the tennis circuit.

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini has publicly denounced threats against his family received through messages linked to sports betting, revealing the disturbing content he claims was sent to his brother during the French Open. The incident came to light after Berrettini's victory over Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the US Open, where he addressed the issue in a press conference. According to Berrettini, the messages sent to his sibling contained explicit threats against his family, stating, "Matteo is bad. If he doesn't lose, we will kill your family." He confirmed that these incidents had been reported to the ATP and officially denounced. The situation highlights a growing concern within the tennis community regarding the impact of sports betting on players. Berrettini pointed out that similar issues have occurred before, such as with Italian tennis player Lucrezia Stefanini, who reportedly received harsh messages at the Indian Wells tournament in March 2026. These instances underscore the need for stronger measures to protect athletes from such threats. Berrettini emphasized that while the problem exists across different levels of the sport, it becomes particularly challenging in lower-tier tournaments known as Challengers. In these events, controlling access to spectators can be difficult, making it harder to prevent individuals from engaging in inappropriate behavior. Despite this challenge, Berrettini believes there must be a structured approach to address the issue effectively. He acknowledged that sports betting is an integral part of the tennis ecosystem, noting that many funds circulating within the sport originate from this sector. However, he expressed personal reservations about participating in gambling activities himself, stating that he does not enjoy casinos or related activities. Nevertheless, he suggested that if managed responsibly, the phenomenon could still offer entertainment value. The discussion around sports betting in tennis has gained renewed attention following recent developments, including new sponsorship deals involving betting agencies. Berrettini's comments reflect broader concerns among players about ensuring their safety and well-being amidst increasing commercialization of the sport. His call for a more robust framework to safeguard athletes aligns with ongoing efforts to create a secure environment for all participants in professional tennis.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

3 reports

ANSA logoANSAIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 809/1/2026
US Open, Berrettini's complaint: 'Death threats from bettors' He was arrested on suspicion of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini spoke out during a press conference after his victory over Stan Wawrinka at the US Open, addressing the issue of threats and harassment faced by athletes due to gambling-related messages. He shared personal experiences, including receiving threatening messages targeting his family, and highlighted concerns about younger players being affected by such behavior. Berrettini emphasized the need for stronger protections and structures within tennis to ensure a safe environment for all participants. While acknowledging the challenges of regulating access to tournaments, he suggested that if managed properly, gambling could coexist with the sport without causing harm.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports-related issue, gambling threats against athletes, and does not involve political figures, policies, or ideological debates. The content is neutral in tone, presenting Berrettini’s concerns without overt bias or partisan framing.

Why factuality (90): This article closely mirrors the information presented by Berrettini during his press conference. It accurately summarizes his concerns about threats from gamblers, references the incident with his brother, and includes details about the broader issue of safety for athletes. It maintains consistency

Why objectivity (80): The article remains largely neutral, presenting Berrettini’s statements without overt emotional language. It focuses on reporting the facts as relayed by the player, though it subtly frames the issue as complex and concerning, which may lean slightly toward a critical view of gambling practices.

Open logoOpenIndependentCenterFactual 88Objective 789/1/2026
Matteo is scarce, if he does not lose we will kill you: Berrettini reveals the shock messages of the bettors to his brother after Roland Garros

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini revealed that his brother Jacopo received threatening messages from gamblers after Berrettini won a match at the French Open (Roland Garros). The messages stated, 'Matteo is bad. If you don’t tell him to lose, we’ll kill your family.' Berrettini expressed concern over the dangers of gambling in sports, particularly in smaller tournaments where it is harder to monitor spectators. He called for stronger protections for athletes and suggested establishing a committee to safeguard players from such threats. While he personally opposes gambling, he acknowledged its role in funding the sport and emphasized the need for proper regulation.

Bias read (Center): The article presents Berrettini’s concerns about gambling in sports and calls for regulatory measures. It does not take a clear ideological stance but focuses on the issue of athlete safety and the need for institutional safeguards. The framing remains neutral, emphasizing the problem rather than a左

Why factuality (88): The article provides a detailed account of the threatening messages Berrettini claims were sent to his brother after he won a match at Roland Garros. It includes direct quotes from Berrettini and references similar incidents, such as those involving Lucrezia Stefanini. The information aligns with th

Why objectivity (78): While the article is informative, it uses emotionally charged language when describing the nature of the threats, such as 'messaggi shock' (shocking messages). This adds a subjective layer to the reporting, making the tone more dramatic than purely objective.

Il Fatto Quotidiano logoIl Fatto QuotidianoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 759/1/2026
They threatened my family, they wrote to my brother: Berrettini denounces tennis bettors for shock messages

Italian tennis player Matteo Berrettini has reported receiving death threats targeting his family from gamblers after winning a match at the US Open. The incidents, which occurred during the French Open, involve messages sent to his brother threatening his family if he did not lose. Berrettini emphasized the need for stronger protections for players and called for a dedicated committee to address safety concerns. He noted similar threats against Italian tennis player Lucrezia Stefanini earlier this year. Berrettini explained that gamblers often resort to threats after losing bets, sometimes using fake profiles on social media. While acknowledging the complexity of regulating gambling within the sport, he expressed personal disapproval of casinos but acknowledged their financial role in the tennis circuit.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses a sports-related issue involving player safety and gambling, which is not inherently politically charged. The framing remains neutral, focusing on factual reports and player perspectives without overt ideological slant. The tone is balanced, presenting both the problem and the

Why factuality (85): The article reports on Matteo Berrettini’s public denunciation of threats from gamblers following his victory at the US Open. It aligns with the cross-source consensus that Berrettini has received threatening messages after matches, including specific examples like the message to his brother. The ar

Why objectivity (75): The tone is somewhat emotive, particularly when describing the nature of the threats and the impact on players and families. While it presents the issue objectively, there is a slight editorializing in emphasizing the danger and calling for stronger protections, which leans slightly towards a critic

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories