Caroline Wozniacki hits out after parents were subjected to death threats

Caroline Wozniacki has slammed security at the Miami Open after she and members of her family were subjected to verbal abuse.

The Australian Open champion suffered a shock 0-6, 6-4, 6-4 second-round defeat against Monica Puig at Key Biscayne on Friday, but the Dane said there were several unsavoury incidents during and after the match.

“Last night I lost a tough match to a great opponent and friend Monica Puig at the Miami Open,” she wrote on Twitter.

“I am fully aware that tennis is a game of wins and losses. However, during the match last night people in the crowd threatened my family, wished death threats on my mom and dad, called me names that I can’t repeat here and told my fiancé’s niece and nephew (who are 10 years old) to sit down and shut the f**k up, meanwhile security and staff did nothing to prevent this and even accepted this to take place.

“While I always encourage fans to cheer for their favourite player, and I thrive on a challenging atmosphere, when certain lines are crossed, it makes tennis miserable for both competitors.

“I hope the Miami Open chooses to take this seriously because it’s a horrible example to set for the next generation of tennis players and fans. I wish Monica all the best for the rest of the tournament.”

Her fiance David Lee also took to Twitter to hit out at the “disgusting atmosphere”.

Miami Open tournament director James Blake said security “never witnessed” any threats.

“During the match we had tournament and WTA staff as well as tournament security courtside,” he said in a statement. “They never witnessed, nor were they notified of any specific threats made to the players or their families.

“If we had been notified, the situation would have been handled immediately.”

Caroline Wozniacki News WTA Tour

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