Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys both battled their way through their opening matches at the 2026 Italian Open to book their spots in the third round. Following their victories, both players candidly spoke about the troubling presence of bettors in tennis crowds, with Keys calling for stronger action to curb the issue.
What Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys Said About Dealing with Bettors During Matches
Speaking to the press after her 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over Eva Lys, Osaka opened up about whether she noticed spectators placing bets live from the crowd. While the former world No. 1 admitted to being largely unaware of bettors’ presence, she did point out certain “suspicious” behavior.
“So I don’t look at people in the crowd except for my team. Like sometimes I hear people say, C’mon, from the first point. I’m like, that’s a little suspicious. You must really like me or something. No, other than that, not really. It would be interesting for me to hear what the other players have to say, though,” Naomi Osaka said.
Keys, however, presented a stronger stance on the issue after defeating Peyton Stearns 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in her opening match. Although she acknowledged the difficulty of policing bettors in the crowd, she stressed the importance of keeping players completely removed from betting activity, given the sport’s strict regulations.
“I haven’t noticed personally. I have seen it happen. I think there needs to be more done about it. I know that it’s hard obviously because it’s a massive crowd, how are you going to actually patrol that?” Keys said.
“But I think there’s so many rules around how we are around betting. Like, we cannot be involved in it at all in any way, shape or form. We take it so seriously. We’re constantly dealing with it. I think for it to be in such a public way, that it’s very obvious how it is, I think something needs to be done about it.”
The American called attention to bettors’ obtrusive behavior during matches while emphasizing the need to better protect the players.
“Just like very vocal I think, in a not fun spectator tennis way. I’ve always just kind of been the person that I’m not a fan of sports betting in general. I think it kind of brings out the worst in people. I think to have a little bit more protection around it and for the players is really important,” she added.
As for their Italian Open campaigns, Naomi Osaka is set to take on Diana Shnaider in the third round, while Keys will lock horns with Nikola Bartůňková. Featuring in the same half of the draw, Osaka and Keys remain on course for a blockbuster semifinal clash at the WTA 1000 event.
