Panna Udvardy explains joining OnlyFans to connect with tennis fans
The Hungarian player said the platform provides financial stability and a way to share her tennis life behind the scenes.
Hungarian tennis player Panna Udvardy said she started an OnlyFans account in late March to connect more closely with her fans. Speaking on the sidelines of the WTA 250 Chennai Open, the World No. 86 explained that the platform allows her to share aspects of her tennis life that people do not see from the outside, according to Sportstar.
Udvardy said the decision was also driven by the need for consistent income in an expensive sport. She noted that having a reliable source of money provides peace of mind regarding expenses such as paying for a coach or attending tournaments.
The player mentioned that several other athletes have approached her to enquire about her earnings. She said the income depends on the effort an individual puts into contacting fans and replying to messages, though she prioritises her tennis.
Udvardy also spoke about the dark side of social media following a frightening incident at a WTA 125 event in Turkiye. She said she received threatening WhatsApp messages from an unknown number that included personal details of her and her family, intimidating her to lose a match.
The athlete said she informed the WTA about the threats and called for stronger steps to protect players' personal data and safety. She stated that receiving threats against families on private phone numbers is not acceptable and should not be normalised in sport.
At the Chennai Open, player Jodie Burrage also posted on social media about being subjected to abuse, which she suggested may have come from bettors and gamblers.