The ATP 500 Rio Open is set to conclude this Sunday, but it has made headlines for more than just its final. A Brazilian journalist revealed that he accessed personal information of several players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca, due to a mix-up between the city’s government and the Rio Open organization.
Interestingly, Alcaraz didn’t even play in Rio this year. After two consecutive seasons participating in the Golden Swing, competing at the Argentina Open and Rio Open, the Spaniard opted for hardcourts instead, playing the Qatar Open, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Jiri Lehecka.
Despite his absence from this year’s event, the tournament organizers reportedly retained personal data from Alcaraz and other players who had previously competed, according to Tennis Infinity. Brazilian journalist Demetrio Vecchioli disclosed that he had access to the private information of several top players, including Alcaraz and young star Joao Fonseca.
"This is João Fonseca's passport photo, issued in October 2020. How do I know something so personal? This is one of the many personal data leaks by the Rio Open organization and the RJ government."
"I found Joao’s WhatsApp, Alcaraz’s WhatsApp (who even responded to me), images of documents containing all the information necessary for fraud, home addresses. And not just them, but Thiem, Musetti, Melo, Monteiro, etc., etc., etc."
Essa daqui é a foto do João Fonseca no passaporte dele, emitido em out/2020.
— Demétrio Vecchioli (@Olhar_Olimpico) February 20, 2025
Como eu sei algo tão pessoal?
Este é um dos muitos dados pessoais vazados pela organização do Rio Open e pelo governo do RJ
Tem Whatsapp do João, Whatsapp do Alcaraz (que me respondeu), imagens dos… pic.twitter.com/OyzkrTMJjA
Apparently, the journalist accessed the data through the Rio government’s online platforms, meaning anyone could have retrieved players' personal information. "It wasn't hidden. I found it just by searching one of their names on the Rio government's transparency platform. Anyone could have found it. Before publishing the article in the first comment, I warned RJ and Rio Open to take it down, which they have already done."
Luckily for the players, Vecchioli chose to alert the government instead of exposing their private details. This is an increasingly sensitive issue, as players are facing more harassment and threats on social media after their matches.
Some cases escalate even further, such as the stalker of Emma Raducanu, who made headlines this week after the former US Open champion broke down in tears mid-match and hid behind the umpire’s chair as security removed the man. Reports later revealed that the stalker had tracked Raducanu’s frequent locations and had planned multiple ways to approach her.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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