Turin, 1 September (LaPresse) – “First and foremost, I would like to express my full solidarity with Matteo Berrettini. What he has described is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident: threats and insults linked to betting are a reality that many players, both men and women, find themselves having to put up with all too often. And we cannot regard this as normal. Threats and insults linked to a match must never become something an athlete has to get used to.” Filippo Volandri, captain of the Italian Davis Cup team, told LaPresse this in response to the allegations revealed by Matteo Berrettini following his opening-round victory at the US Open against Stan Wawrinka. The Roman tennis player explained that, during the French Open, his brother’s mobile phone had received text messages containing threats directed at the family. “We ask players to cope with the pressure of results, but there is a line that must not be crossed: no one should feel threatened because of what happens off the court,” added Volandri. “Matteo’s account should make us reflect, above all, on the protection of younger players. We must do everything possible to ensure they know they have a team ready to support and protect them. Anyone who threatens or intimidates an athlete must be prosecuted with the utmost severity.”
Tennis, Volandri: “Solidarity with Berrettini; those who make threats should be prosecuted”
Turin, 1 September (LaPresse) – “First and foremost, I would like to express my full solidarity with Matteo Berrettini. What he has described is, unfortunately, not an isolated incident: threats and insults linked to betting are a reality that many players, both men and women, find themselves having to put up with all too often. And we cannot regard this as normal. Threats and insults linked to a match must never become something an athlete has to get used to.” Filippo Volandri, captain of the Italian Davis Cup team, told LaPresse this in response to the allegations revealed by Matteo Berrettini following his opening-round victory at the US Open against Stan Wawrinka. The Roman tennis player explained that, during the French Open, his brother’s mobile phone had received text messages containing threats directed at the family. “We ask players to cope with the pressure of results, but there is a line that must not be crossed: no one should feel threatened because of what happens off the court,” added Volandri. “Matteo’s account should make us reflect, above all, on the protection of younger players. We must do everything possible to ensure they know they have a team ready to support and protect them. Anyone who threatens or intimidates an athlete must be prosecuted with the utmost severity.”