Police involved as tennis star receives disturbing blackmail threat hours before match

Panna Udvardy has revealed the terrifying messages that threatened harm against her family if she didn’t lose a tennis match.

The Hungarian was preparing to face Anhelina Kalinina in the Antalya Challenger on Friday when she received the texts the night before.

@panna_udvardy Instagram

A person behind an unknown number told her to lose against Kalinina, or they would send people to her mother’s house and kidnap her.

Images of her family and someone holding a gun were included in an apparent attempt at blackmail.

Udvardy posted screenshots on her Instagram, and confirmed that the police have been contacted in response to the messages.

In a lengthy message, the 27-year-old said: “Last night around midnight I received several very disturbing messages on WhatsApp from an unknown number on my personal phone.

“The person told me that if I didn’t lose my match today, they would harm members of my family. They said they knew where my family lives, what cars they drive and that they had their phone numbers. They even sent photos of my family members and a picture of a gun.

“It was honestly very scary to receive something like this. I immediately contacted the WTA supervisor, sent the screenshots, and informed my parents.

“My parents then contacted the consulate, and when I woke up this morning I also spoke again with the WTA supervisor.

“I was told that similar threats have recently happened to other players and that they believe personal information may have leaked from the WTA database, which is currently being investigated.

“The consulate responded very quickly and sent three police officers to my match, which I’m extremely grateful for. Police also went to my parents and grandmother’s homes, and after the match I filed an official police report here in Turkey.

“Thank you to everyone who reached out today with messages and support. It really meant a lot. Thank you to the consulate for reacting so quickly and for taking care both me and my family.

“But I want to say something clearly: this is not normal.

“Even as athletes or public figures, it’s not acceptable to receive threats against our families, especially not on our private phone numbers and alongside disturbing images. We should not normalize abuse like this in sport.

“I hope the WTA continues investigating this situation seriously and takes stronger steps to protect players personal data and safety and to inform players immediately if there is a breach in their system.

“No player should have to deal with something like this.”

Udvardy, who is no. 95 in the women’s world rankings, went on to lose 6-7 (3-7) 5-7 against Kalinina.

She also reached the first round of the Australian Open earlier in the year.