Tennis Players Speak Out Against Cyberbullying and Online Harassment in the Sport

Caroline Garcia, a former U.S. Open semifinalist, recently spoke out about the issue of cyberbullying in tennis, particularly by individuals who bet on matches. After her first-round loss at the Grand Slam tournament, Garcia shared her experiences of receiving hateful messages on social media, including death threats and wishes for harm to her family.

Garcia emphasized the emotional toll that cyberbullying takes on players, noting that the messages can be damaging, especially after a tough loss. She also highlighted the prevalence of verbal attacks from gamblers upset about losing money, calling out the promotion of betting companies in the sport.

Other players, including defending champion Coco Gauff and 2019 U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu, echoed Garcia’s sentiments, sharing their own experiences of online harassment. Frances Tiafoe, a semifinalist in New York in 2022, described the comments as “outlandish” and “wild.”

In response to the issue, Grand Slam tournaments have taken steps to help prevent abusive messages from reaching athletes. The French Open partnered with a company that uses artificial intelligence to filter players’ social media accounts, while other organizations have announced services to monitor for abusive content on various platforms.

Garcia concluded her message by urging kindness and empathy towards athletes and individuals facing criticism online. She emphasized the importance of treating others with respect and understanding, especially in the face of adversity. As the tennis community continues to address the issue of cyberbullying, players are calling for greater awareness and action to protect the mental well-being of those in the sport.