The 2024 Rome Masters run of
Nicolas Jarry was widely framed as a breakthrough moment, with the Chilean reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final. However, new revelations from his wife, Laura Urruticoechea, have added a different layer to that week, highlighting security concerns and the impact of betting-related harassment on players and their families.
Speaking via social media following Jarry’s recent win at the Madrid Challenger, Urruticoechea described a series of threats and a hotel intrusion that occurred during the tournament in Rome. The incident took place early in the event, before Jarry began his run to the final, and reflects a broader issue that continues to affect professional tennis.
At the time, Jarry was competing as a seeded player and opened his campaign with a straight-sets win over Matteo Arnaldi. While the on-court performance was controlled, the off-court environment quickly became unstable, according to Urruticoechea, who emphasized that such threats are not isolated cases within the sport.
Threats and hotel intrusion during Rome Masters
Urruticoechea began by explaining that the situation started with messages received after Jarry’s opening match, noting that these types of interactions are often normalized within the tennis ecosystem. She described how individuals track players closely and escalate their behavior when results do not align with betting expectations.
“I’m making this video because I want to share things I’ve never said before. Two years ago, at the Rome Masters, after Nico’s first match against an Italian, we received threats,” she explained on her social media, according to
Emol. “I’m sorry to say, but this is usual. Everyone receives them. Even if your profile is private.”
The situation intensified once the family returned to their hotel. According to her account, signs of unauthorized entry were immediately visible, suggesting that someone had accessed their room while they were away.
“We arrived at the hotel room with the kids before Nico. Someone had been inside. They had smoked, left a cigarette on the bed, taken out the pillows, everything was messy. It was like someone saying: ‘I was here.’”
Attempts to escalate the situation through official channels proved ineffective. Urruticoechea described a lack of response from both hotel staff and local authorities, with procedural barriers and communication issues complicating any formal complaint. The absence of immediate support contributed to the sense of vulnerability.
“We went to the hotel, but they said it was probably us,” Urruticoechea added. “We went to the police, but everything is very complicated in Rome. They don’t listen to women, there’s a lot of bureaucracy. We couldn’t move forward.”
“After Rome, the vertigo came”
The situation escalated further when the family returned to the room accompanied by police officers, only to find that the intrusion had happened again. At that point, the psychological impact became more pronounced, particularly given the presence of their children. “We went back with the police, and the same thing had happened again. The same person had entered and done the same. That’s when we felt the fear and the invasion of limits. It was very strong.”
Urruticoechea also described contacting the ATP Tour, expecting additional protection. The response, however, was limited to logistical support rather than security intervention, reinforcing her view that such incidents are often treated as routine.
In parallel, Jarry continued progressing through the draw, recording wins over higher-ranked opponents including Stefanos Tsitsipas and Tommy Paul. He ultimately reached the final, where he lost in straight sets to Alexander Zverev.
Urruticoechea concluded by linking the experience to Jarry’s subsequent health issues, including vertigo and ongoing visual disturbances. She framed his ability to continue competing as a reflection of resilience rather than routine professional endurance.
“After Rome, the vertigo came. You can’t imagine how hard it was. Even today, he has to use visual references to adjust his sight. What his eyes see and what his brain processes are not the same.”
The Chilean has struggled since then with his level and has not managed to regain the consistency that led him to his first Masters final. Currently ranked World No. 156, he is now returning to the clay-court swing and putting together a solid run at the Madrid Challenger 75, where he has reached the semifinals and is preparing to face Jurij Rodionov in search of a place in the final.
Nicolás Jarry — Road to the final, Rome Open 2024
| Round | Opponent | Opponent ranking | Result |
| R64 | Matteo Arnaldi | No. 37 | 6-2, 7-6(6) |
| R32 | Stefano Napolitano | No. 125 | 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 |
| R16 | Alexandre Müller | No. 109 | 7-5, 6-3 |
| QF | Stefanos Tsitsipas | No. 8 | 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 |
| SF | Tommy Paul | No. 16 | 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 |
| Final | Alexander Zverev | No. 5 | 4-6, 5-7 |