Nikolas Sanchez reveals death threats in chilling match-fixing plot

Spanish tennis player Nikolas Sanchez says he received death threats against himself and his family from gamblers demanding he fix a match in Argentina.

The 26-year-old was targeted shortly before a round-of-16 tie at an ATP Challenger event in Rosario earlier this month.

Sanchez revealed he was told he “would not get out of there alive” unless he deliberately lost the contest.

‘They had located my family’

The Barcelona native initially dismissed the text messages as a prank but realised the severity of the situation when the senders provided specific personal details.

Perpetrators sent the full names of his parents and brother, alongside their home address and his own government ID number.

“They invited me to secretly lose the match I was going to play but warned me not to say anything, otherwise my family would be kidnapped,” Sanchez told Punto de Break.

“They tell me that if I don’t comply with their demands, I won’t get out of there alive.”

Security measures enforced

Upon receiving the threats roughly 90 minutes before play, the world number 275 alerted his coach and authorities were immediately informed.

Sanchez was subsequently placed in isolation for three hours in the players’ room for his own safety.

The match eventually went ahead behind closed doors with a maximum security presence.

Despite the psychological distress, the Spaniard completed the match but fell to a 7-5 6-4 defeat against his Argentine opponent.

Sanchez admitted he considered withdrawing but felt compelled to play to secure necessary ranking points and prize money.

“I look around and search for someone who is laughing, thinking it’s a joke,” he added regarding the initial messages.

“My family suffering because of a tennis match? This cannot happen under any circumstances.”