Overview
- Stefanini said unknown senders messaged her private WhatsApp with a gun photo and her parents’ names, instructing her to lose before her Indian Wells qualifying match.
- She reported the threats to the WTA and event staff, who increased her security and provided an escort to her car.
- The Italian No. 138 fought a three-hour match but lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva and stated she will not be intimidated and will keep reporting threats.
- Italian federation president Angelo Binaghi condemned the incident as intolerable and urged identification and punishment of those responsible, calling for stronger international protections for players.
- The case follows recent betting-linked intimidation of other players, with officials citing mounting abuse data and prior examples involving Nicolas Sanchez Izquierdo, Mattia Bellucci and Francesco Maestrelli.