Key Takeaways
- Stefano Cobolli revealed an abusive message wishing cancer and death upon his son Flavio.
- Cobolli expressed concern for more vulnerable individuals and insisted that “something must be done” to combat online toxicity.
- The incident highlights growing harassment faced by tennis players and their relatives, often fueled by anonymous sports bettors.
Severe abuse directed at tennis families prompts calls for change
Stefano Cobolli, the father and coach of Italian player Flavio Cobolli, has voiced serious concern over the extreme hostility aimed at athletes and their relatives. Cobolli shared an alarming message sent to him by an internet user wishing illness and death upon his son, accompanied by homophobic slurs.
While athletes regularly contend with criticism, Cobolli pointed out that hostile comments have reached unbearable extremes. He revealed that although he usually tries to delete such notes without paying attention to them, the sheer volume and severity forced him to address the issue publicly. He stressed that “something must be done” to stop the cycle of hate.
The psychological impact and the role of online hostility
Cobolli acknowledged considering abandoning digital platforms altogether as a protective measure. However, he emphasized that athletes are accustomed to overcoming adversity, while many other individuals might lack the emotional resilience to cope with such vitriol. He noted that other vulnerable people could suffer greatly from receiving similar attacks, which is entirely unfair.
Hoping the message serves as a broader wake-up call, Cobolli urged families to stay attentive to the online conduct of younger users. The incident underscores a wider problem in professional tennis, where competitors and their inner circles frequently encounter intense harassment and threats, often linked to disgruntled sports bettors operating behind anonymous profiles.
Flavio Cobolli in 2026
Ranked no.7, Cobolli played his last match on the 9th of October when he lost to world no.83 Adrian Mannarino 6-1 4-6 6-3 in the 2nd round in Shanghai (draw).
This season the Italian has achieved a composed 33-22 match record. Flavio has won 1 title in Acapulco.
