Panna Udvardy, a world No. 95 tennis player, received menacing messages on her personal phone ahead of a match in Antalya, Turkey. The threats included family details and a handgun photo, prompting criticism of the WTA Tour's response. The tour stated there was no data breach and that the FBI is investigating.
Panna Udvardy, aged 27 and ranked No. 95 in the world, encountered threats of violence via a message from a United Kingdom country code number before her match against Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina at a WTA tournament in Antalya, Turkey. The message demanded she lose the match, threatened to kidnap her mother, and claimed knowledge of her parents' and grandmother's locations. It was accompanied by family photos, an image of a handgun, and a warning of two groups near Hungary ready for action if needed.
Udvardy described her panic in a voice message: "At midnight I’m panicking, I’m alone in the hotel. I was really scared, so I forwarded these messages to my parents." She contacted the tournament supervisor, WTA player relations, and social media team but struggled to sleep. The supervisor informed her that other players had received similar messages and mentioned an investigation into a possible personal data leak. However, Udvardy felt the WTA downplayed the issue, noting no additional security was provided and that the response was dismissive: "The supervisor told me, ‘Oh, it happened to other players, so don’t worry.’ OK, but I am worried — it’s my phone number, my personal data, who knows what else they have?"
The WTA's safeguarding team suggested the handgun photo was outdated, implying no real weapon, a point Udvardy questioned: "I don’t see how that’s better." In an email to players, reviewed by The Athletic, the tour clarified no official data breach occurred and that the FBI is aiding the investigation into the messages' origins. Players were advised to report threats immediately to the safeguarding team.
This incident marks the second such report in recent weeks; Italian player Lucrezia Stefanini received comparable threats, including a gun photo, before qualifying for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. She noted: "I immediately alerted the WTA, which provided me with more security … The entire tournament mobilized to make me feel safe." Multiple ATP players have also reported direct threats.
Udvardy lost her match in two tight sets but praised her resilience under stress. Post-match, the supervisor, tournament director, and three police officers, dispatched by the Hungarian consulate after her parents' alert, ensured her safety and offered ongoing security. In an Instagram post upon leaving Antalya, she expressed disappointment: "Leaving Antalya feeling sad and disappointed. I never imagined something like this could happen ... No player should ever have to go through something like this."
Such harassment often stems from bettors upset over losses, with players facing abuse on social media. The WTA employs Signify Group’s Threat Matrix for monitoring, and a 2024 report documented 15 abuse cases referred to law enforcement, three to the FBI. The tour maintains data partnerships with betting firms, such as Stats Perform's extension to 2030. Udvardy emphasized: "This should not be normalized."
