Overview
- Lucrezia Stefanini said a WhatsApp message named her family and included a photo of a gun before her Indian Wells qualifying match.
- She alerted the WTA, which increased her security and coordinated with tournament staff to help ensure her safety.
- Stefanini played the match and lost to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
- Italian Tennis and Padel Federation president Angelo Binaghi condemned the incident, calling for an immediate legal response and a stronger international protection system.
- Reports link the intimidation to betting attempts, noting a broader pattern that includes threats to another Italian player and 8,000 abusive or threatening posts tracked in 2024 as the ITIA pursues integrity investigations.