Matteo Berrettini told reporters at the 2026 US Open on Tuesday that his family received violent death threats from sports bettors earlier this year, including during the French Open. The Italian, currently ranked inside the ATP top 30, used the Grand Slam platform to demand systemic protections for athletes.
“My family received threats from some gamblers at Roland Garros,” Berrettini said. The threats escalated. They referenced his family by name.
What Happened
Berrettini disclosed the threats during a press conference tied to a new partnership announcement at Flushing Meadows. Ubitennis first reported his comments.
The abuse began in spring 2026. It followed match losses. It continued online for months.
“They said they would kill my family,” Berrettini stated, according to HuffPost. The threats arrived via direct messages and email.
Why It Matters
Legal sports betting has expanded rapidly. The global market exceeded $100 billion in handle in 2025. The US market alone generated over $30 billion in wagers last year, according to American Gaming Association data.
This growth created millions of new bettors. It also created millions of new points of failure.
Athletes now absorb the emotional cost. They did not choose this role.
Berrettini Is Not Alone
Multiple ATP and WTA players have reported similar abuse. Ons Jabeur received death threats in 2023. A Rybakina family member faced harassment last year.
The pattern is consistent. Losses trigger blame. Blame targets the player.
| Entity | Current Protection Measures | Documented Gaps |
|---|---|---|
| ATP | Threat-reporting hotline; mental health referrals | No mandatory disclosure to players; limited enforcement |
| WTA | Online abuse monitoring tool (announced 2024) | Tool does not cover direct messaging platforms |
| ITIA | Integrity education programs | No jurisdiction over betting operators |
| Grand Slams | On-site security perimeters | No centralized threat-intelligence sharing |
The Human Cost
Berrettini described the impact on his family. His parents altered daily routines. His partner received threatening messages.
The toll affects performance. It affects sleep. It affects basic safety.
Betting platforms generated record revenue. None absorbed the risk they created.
Who Bears Responsibility
Sportsbooks enable in-play betting. Bettors place wagers within seconds of a missed serve. Losses trigger immediate emotional responses.
The model is profitable. The externalities are ignored.
Tennis tours collect sponsorship fees from betting companies. The same companies fund the harassment.
Regulatory Landscape
| Jurisdiction | Approach to Bettor Harassment | Cooperation with Tours |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Gambling Commission requires operator cooperation in threat investigations | Mandatory disclosure of bettor identities upon court order |
| United States | No federal requirement; state-level patchwork | Voluntary; inconsistent |
| European Union | Varies by member state; no unified standard | Limited cooperation outside criminal investigations |
| Australia | Strict advertising rules; bettor anonymity protected | Minimal cooperation with player safety bodies |
What Must Change
Berrettini proposed concrete steps. He is not alone in calling for them.
First: mandatory threat-reporting channels at every ATP, WTA, and Grand Slam event. No exceptions.
Second: legal requirements forcing betting operators to cooperate with investigations into threats made by their users.
Third: dedicated mental-health funding for athletes facing gambling-related abuse. Existing resources are insufficient.
Fourth: social media platform accountability. Direct-message harassment falls outside current abuse-reporting frameworks.
The Stakes
Tennis generated $2.1 billion in prize money in 2025. Betting interest drives broadcast deals.
Without player protection, the business model collapses. Sponsors will exit. Broadcasters will follow.
Berrettini’s plea is not dramatic. It is operational.
Bottom Line
One top-30 player received death threats against his family. The threats were documented. No betting operator has been sanctioned.
This is the current state of professional tennis in the legal betting era.
What did Matteo Berrettini say about gamblers at the 2026 US Open?
Berrettini stated that gamblers threatened to kill his family earlier in 2026, including during Roland Garros, and used the US Open stage to demand industry-wide protections for players.
Why are tennis players targeted by sports bettors?
The expansion of in-play betting places individual athletes at the center of bettors’ emotional responses, converting match outcomes into personal grievances.
Is the Berrettini incident isolated?
No. Multiple ATP and WTA players have reported similar abuse, indicating a systemic pattern tied to sports gambling expansion.
What is being done to protect players?
Tours and the ITIA offer reporting channels and education. Critics argue enforcement against betting operators remains inadequate.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What did Berrettini reveal at the 2026 US Open?
- A: Matteo Berrettini disclosed that his family received violent death threats from sports bettors earlier in 2026, including during the French Open. The threats, sent via direct messages and email, referenced his family by name and escalated after match losses.
- Q: Why are athletes facing death threats from bettors?
- A: The rapid expansion of legal sports betting, which exceeded $100 billion globally in 2025, has created millions of new bettors and millions of new points of failure. When bettors lose money, blame is frequently directed at the athletes who did not choose to be part of the gambling ecosystem.
- Q: Are other tennis players receiving similar threats?
- A: Yes. Ons Jabeur received death threats in 2023, and a member of Elena Rybakina’s family faced harassment last year. The pattern is consistent across both the ATP and WTA, with post-match losses triggering targeted abuse toward players.
- Q: What protections is Berrettini demanding for athletes?
- A: Berrettini used the Grand Slam platform at the 2026 US Open to demand systemic protections for professional tennis players. He highlighted that athletes absorb the emotional cost of a rapidly growing sports betting industry without having consented to that role.
- Q: How big is the sports betting market behind this crisis?
- A: According to American Gaming Association data, the global sports betting market exceeded $100 billion in handle in 2025, with the US market alone generating over $30 billion in wagers last year. This explosive growth has dramatically increased the number of bettors with direct access to athletes online.