The Dark Side of Tennis: Online Abuse

Katie Boulter, the British number two in tennis, has opened up about the disturbing levels of online abuse she endures, particularly during major tournaments like the French Open. In a candid interview with BBC Sport, Boulter shared screenshots of her private inbox, revealing messages filled with death threats, vile insults, and even threats to her family.

The Impact of Betting-Related Abuse

Boulter believes much of the abuse stems from disgruntled bettors who lose money on her matches. She described receiving abusive messages both after victories and defeats, highlighting the emotional toll it takes. 'As far as death threats, it's just not something you want to be reading straight after an emotional loss,' she said.

The Vulnerability of Athletes

Boulter emphasized how vulnerable athletes are to such abuse, especially with the anonymity social media provides. 'You really don't know if this person is on site. You really don't know if they're nearby or if they know where you live or anything like that,' she explained.

Calls for Industry Action

The issue of online abuse in tennis has prompted calls for action from the betting industry and social media platforms. Statistics from Signify, the ITF, and the WTA show that in 2024, about 8,000 abusive messages were sent to 458 tennis players. A significant portion of this abuse was linked to betting, with 40% of detected abuse coming from angry gamblers.

Protecting Players

Tennis authorities have implemented measures like the Threat Matrix, an AI-driven system to detect and mitigate abuse. Players are also offered security advice and can report abuse received through direct messages. 'We try very hard to protect the players when they're on site and digitally we are investing in helping to support them to not have that abuse happen,' said Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

The Need for Collective Action

Boulter and other players are urging social media companies and the betting industry to take collective action to address the issue. 'Online abuse is unacceptable, and something that no player should have to endure,' said Jessica Pegula, a US Open finalist.

Conclusion

Katie Boulter's brave decision to share her experiences sheds light on the pervasive issue of online abuse in tennis. It’s a call to action for the industry to protect athletes and ensure they can compete without fear of harassment.