Italian tennis player Lucrezia Stefanini, currently world No. 138 and a Billie Jean King Cup representative, has revealed she received death threats following her defeat in the qualifying round of the Indian Wells tournament. Stefanini, who is in California, was eliminated in the first round of qualifying by Andorran player Victoria Jiménez Kasintseva. Shortly afterward, she shared a video on Instagram detailing the intimidation she experienced before the match.
The 27-year-old said she was targeted by gamblers who sent threatening messages via WhatsApp, including a photo of a gun. The messages reportedly referenced personal details, such as her parents’ names and her birthplace, and warned her against winning the match.
“They threatened me and my family,” Stefanini said. “They made me feel under pressure and unsafe before going on court.”
Despite the shock, she immediately reported the incident to the WTA, which provided additional security and logistical support throughout the tournament. Determined not to be intimidated, Stefanini said she fought until the last point and vowed to continue reporting any similar incidents in the future, stressing that such behavior has no place in sport.