British tennis player Katie Boulter has revealed she received death threats targeting her and her family during the French Open. She stated that online abuse has become commonplace, expressing concern about its impact on younger players. The abuse also extends to matches played by her fiancé, Australian Alex de Minaur.
Boulter, currently ranked number 39 in the WTA, believes many abusive messages originate from individuals who have placed bets on tennis matches. The threats against her loved ones were sent during her first-round match against Carole Monnet on May 29, specifically after she lost the first-set tie-break.
The messages included disturbing content, such as threats of violence and harm. Boulter shared screenshots of the messages with the BBC, revealing she also receives explicit pictures. She is particularly worried about the effect this widespread abuse has on younger players, noting the personal toll it takes.
Boulter has observed an increase in both the frequency and severity of online abuse throughout her career. She feels that there are no boundaries anymore in what people say. Many other players have also reported online abuse, highlighting the vulnerability of athletes.
In response to the issue, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Women's Tennis Association (WTA), All England Lawn Tennis Club, and United States Tennis Association launched the Threat Matrix in 2023. This program monitors social media for abusive content and provides support for players.
Despite efforts to combat online abuse, Boulter finds the volume overwhelming. Her primary concern is now protecting younger players. She believes that the current level of abuse is too much to manage individually and wants to help the next generation navigate this challenging situation.
According to data from Signify, the ITF and WTA, approximately 8,000 abusive messages were sent to 458 tennis players through their social media accounts in 2024. Boulter, who receives abuse regardless of winning or losing, attributes much of it to individuals who have bet on her matches.
Signify's data indicates that angry gamblers sent 40% of all detected abuse, with messages often linked to betting activity. The ITF and WTA have called for a dialogue with the gambling industry to address the issue. Jessica Pegula, a member of the WTA Players' Council, also emphasized the need for action from the gambling industry and social media companies. Boulter anticipates an increase in abuse when she competes at Wimbledon.
1 Comments
Matzomaster
The fact that 40% of abuse comes from gamblers is alarming. It needs to stop!