“I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone”: Amanda Anisimova reacts to threats targeting tennis players

Amanda Anisimova spoke out about threats directed at tennis players following her comeback win at the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, describing the messages reported by fellow players as “really crazy” and “really scary.” The American said she had seen one recent case circulating online and admitted the situation left a strong impression.

Anisimova explained that hearing about threats directed not only at players but also at their families made the issue particularly disturbing. The American said she “wouldn’t wish that upon anyone,” highlighting how such incidents can affect players far beyond the court.

The comments came shortly after Anisimova advanced to the third round in Indian Wells with a comeback victory over Anna Blinkova. The sixth seed recovered from a difficult start to defeat the world No. 94 by a 5-7, 6-1, 6-0 scoreline, winning the final nine games of the match to close out the contest in one hour and 39 minutes.

The result keeps Anisimova’s campaign alive at a tournament where she first made an impact as a teenager in 2018, reaching the round of 16. Her next opponent will be Emma Raducanu, who holds a 2–1 advantage in their previous meetings.

During her press conference, Anisimova was asked about threats that have recently surfaced in professional tennis, including a disturbing case reported by Hungarian player Panna Udvardy. The American confirmed she had seen the message circulating online and reacted with concern.

She described the situation as alarming, particularly given that the threats reportedly targeted members of the player’s family. “It was a super scary post that I saw the other day with Panna. I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. It’s really crazy," she said during her press conference. “I don’t even think she got any sleep the night before her match, which is unbelievable. Getting threats like that to your family is super horrible, really scary.”

The issue has resurfaced repeatedly in tennis over recent seasons, with several players speaking about abusive messages connected to betting losses or online harassment. While the sport’s governing bodies have implemented certain safeguards, the problem continues to appear in different forms across the tour.

Asked about possible responses to such incidents, Anisimova stressed that the most important priority should be ensuring players feel protected when threats occur. She noted that from what she had read, people had already attempted to support Udvardy following the incident. “The only thing is that I hope that there are safety measures, security measures, and I feel like they were taken seriously in the post.”

The American said the reaction of tournament staff and governing bodies is crucial in helping players regain a sense of security after such experiences. “From what I read, a lot of people were trying to step in and help and make her feel safe. I think that’s the most important thing. Hopefully there were a lot of people trying to make her feel secure and that everything’s going to be fine.”

However, Anisimova also acknowledged the difficulty of fully preventing threats from appearing online. “At the end of the day, how do you stop crazy people from their actions? I don’t know. But I think the most important thing is that there are rules and safety measures, and that’s all we can do.”

She added that she personally has not experienced threats of that magnitude, though the situation reported by Udvardy stood out as particularly alarming. “Not to that extent. I don’t think I’ve ever seen something like it.”

Looking ahead, the American expects another demanding match when she faces Raducanu for a place in the round of 16. The pair have already produced competitive encounters in previous seasons, and Anisimova suggested she anticipates a similar challenge this time. “The last time I faced her I was just playing really well. I played the way I wanted to play and I had found my rhythm," the 2-time Grand Slam finalist said. “She’s not an easy opponent to face. She always brings high-quality tennis.”

The upcoming match will determine which of the two players advances deeper into the BNP Paribas Open, as Anisimova continues her attempt to build momentum and reach her first final of the 2026 WTA season.