Tennis player's bizarre gifts: from a bra to a fan's tracking device
Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- French tennis player Térence Atmane's life changed dramatically after reaching the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament.
- He has received unusual gifts from fans, including a bra and a Pokémon-themed item, following his rise in the ATP rankings.
- Atmane also experienced a frightening incident in Rome when a fan used an AirTag to track him and appeared at his hotel room door.
French tennis player Térence Atmane has experienced a dramatic shift in his life following his unexpected run to the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament last year. The 21-year-old catapulted from relative anonymity to the Top 70 ATP rankings, discovering that professional tennis success brings not only financial rewards and respect but also bizarre fan encounters.
This tournament changed my life
"This tournament changed my life," Atmane told L'Équipe, reflecting on his journey from the qualifying rounds to facing Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. The prize money allowed him financial stability, but the mental adjustment to such rapid success was challenging. "I went from nothing to a Masters 1000 semifinal. From nothing to the Top 70. It was very complicated to manage," he admitted.
I went from nothing to a Masters 1000 semifinal. From nothing to the Top 70. It was very complicated to manage.
As Atmane gained recognition, his known passion for Pokémon led to fans sending him numerous gifts related to the Japanese franchise. While he appreciates the gestures, some fan interactions have crossed boundaries. In China, he received a bag containing a Pokémon gift and a bra, a memory that still makes him laugh. More disturbingly, during a tournament in Rome, a fan tracked him using an AirTag hidden in a gift bag and then appeared at his hotel room door.
One time, in Rome, I was scared.
"One time, in Rome, I was scared," Atmane recounted. The fan explained he had followed Atmane, leading to an uncomfortable situation where the player felt vulnerable. "You never know how people will react. Now I'm more careful." Despite these unsettling experiences, Atmane acknowledges the joy of being recognized and pursuing his childhood dream, though he emphasizes the difficulty of staying grounded amidst his newfound fame.
You never know how people will react. Now I'm more careful.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Adevărul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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