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.”
— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) March 24, 2018
Her fiance David Lee also took to Twitter to hit out at the “disgusting atmosphere”.
Disgusting atmosphere, hope something can be done to prevent this from happening again! https://t.co/fi1mcRqLcw
— David Lee (@Dlee042) March 24, 2018
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.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray vs Stan Wawrinka in Cincinnati: What time is the big match and where to watch it…
Three-time Grand Slam winners Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka meeting early in Cincy.
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal on having an opportunity to become world No 1 again: ‘I didn’t expect it’
Rafael Nadal could return to world No 1 next week.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu teams up with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Cincinnati doubles
Nicknames for team Raducanu-Rybakina? Radukina? Rybacanu? Emlena? Elemma?
-
Davis Cup
Andy Murray makes Davis Cup return and hopes to ‘create even more history’ with Great Britain in Glasgow
Great Britain will face United States, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands in the group stage in Glasgow.
-
WTA Tour
Coco Gauff after becoming world No 1 in doubles: ‘Being No 1 is pretty cool. Who wouldn’t want to be No 1?’
Another big milestone for youngster Coco Gauff.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep on returning to the WTA top 10: ‘I feel like it’s a big deal, but I am dreaming for more’
Simona Halep on the rise once again.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev confronts heckler after ‘loser and nasty’ remarks as Nick Kyrgios slams ‘disgusting behaviour’
“I won’t let anyone shout nasty things at me, I won’t keep silent.”
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu on facing ‘the best player of all time’ Serena Williams: ‘It’s a great gift to play the best’
Emma Raducanu excited to face GOAT Serena Williams.
-
ATP Tour
Pablo Carreno Busta joins the ranks of Masters champions after Montreal fightback
Pablo Carreno Busta is a Masters champion and makes a serious move in the Race to Turin.
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Laura Robson leaps to the defence of Emma Raducanu
Former British No 1 Laura Robson is baffled by the inflated expectations Emma Raducanu.