"When a message reaches my girlfriend it is more worrying": Tabilo exposes tennis’ growing betting problem after facing abuse from gamblers
ATPSunday, 02 August 2026 at 20:00
Alejandro Tabilo has become the latest ATP player to speak openly about one of tennis’ most difficult issues: abuse from online bettors. The Chilean revealed that he has regularly received insults after matches, but admitted the situation becomes much more serious when those messages reach his family and girlfriend.
The world No. 26 explained that while criticism from bettors is something many players have learned to ignore, the connection between gambling and online harassment remains a major challenge for the sport. According to Tabilo, completely removing the problem is unrealistic given the financial importance of betting companies within tennis.
“It’s almost impossible to regulate, since most of the big sponsors of some tournaments are betting companies. That’s tough,” Tabilo said in an interview with CLAY Magazine during Roland Garros.
The comments come from one of the most established figures in Latin American tennis. The Chilean has become the main consistent representative of his country on the ATP Tour in recent years, reaching a career-high world No. 19 ranking, winning three titles and producing several major victories against elite opponents.
“Messages reach my family”: Tabilo reveals the personal impact of betting abuse
Tabilo admitted that insults from bettors have become a familiar part of life on the ATP Tour, but the situation changes when those attacks move beyond the player himself. The Chilean explained that his family has also received messages after matches, creating a more difficult situation to ignore.
“I receive a lot of insults, but after so many years I think I have learned not to look at them or think about them,” Tabilo explained. “My family also receives messages, and that part is a little tough. When a message reaches my girlfriend it is more worrying, but obviously it affects a little more.”
Tabilo achieved his first victory against a world no. 1 at the 2024 Rome Open, upsetting Novak Djokovic.
The problem has become increasingly visible across professional tennis, with players regularly facing criticism from gamblers who lose money on matches. Although governing bodies have introduced measures to address online abuse, Tabilo believes the relationship between tennis and betting sponsors makes finding a complete solution extremely complicated.
“It’s something that, no matter how much the ATP does things, there are also many tournaments sponsored by betting companies,” Tabilo added. “It’s going to be there for a long time and we have to see how to regulate it a little bit. It’s very difficult to remove it, so we have to see how to regulate it.”
From Djokovic victories to ATP consistency: Tabilo’s rise continues
Tabilo’s comments come during one of the strongest periods of his career. The Chilean first gained worldwide attention at the 2024 Rome Open, where he stunned then-world No. 1 Novak Djokovic en route to his first Masters 1000 semifinal. One year later, he repeated the achievement by defeating Djokovic again at Monte-Carlo, becoming one of the few players with a positive head-to-head record against the Serbian.
The 29-year-old reached a career-high world No. 19 ranking and has collected three ATP titles from six finals throughout his career. His recent form has also remained strong, reaching the semifinals of the 2026 DC Open before losing to teenage Spaniard Rafael Jodar.
Earlier this season, Tabilo produced his best Grand Slam result by reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros. Those results have helped him establish himself as one of the leaders of Latin American tennis alongside players such as Francisco Cerúndolo and Joao Fonseca.
The Chilean will now enter the North American hard-court swing as one of the seeded players, with his ranking placing him in position to be protected in upcoming tournaments, including the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open and US Open.
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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