"May you unfortunately be diagnosed with cancer."
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In the ruthless world of professional tennis, online harassment and threats are a grim reality. Katie Boulter, a British player, has bravely unveiled therespond genuinelyvile and aggressive messages she has received — messages such as, "Hopefully you get cancer."
One particularly vile comment that was brought to attention by Boulter, via screenshots, reads, "Hopefully you get cancer." Such comments were not uncommon, as she has also faced death threats against herself and her family. "Sadly, this is just the norm now," Boulter laments. The 28-year-old is finding it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine threats and idle banter. "It's a constant reminder of how vulnerable we are," she says. "You never know who is behind these messages or their intentions."
Boulter cannot help but suspect that many of these senders are motivated by financial gain, placing bets on her matches. "Following an emotional loss, receiving death threats is the last thing you want to process," she shares. Intriguingly, she experiences similar messages after victories too.
Not an Isolated Issue
In recent times, high-profile incidents of stalking have shaken the tennis world, with former world number one Iga Swiatek and former US Open winner Emma Raducanu facing similar challenges. The alarming trend has escalated with the increase in public recognition and wider broadcasts of matches. "I think it's crucial that we continue discussing this issue in the hope that it diminishes someday," says Australian Open quarterfinalist Eva Lys, who has also reported experiencing hateful comments online[1].
To combat online harassment, the WTA professional organization teamed up with other organizations at the beginning of last year to introduce a technological solution[2]. AI-powered filters are designed to sift through thousands of posts and comments, seeking out and removing abusive content. Between January and October 2024, approximately 12,000 such posts were detected and 15 accounts of repeat offenders were handed over to law enforcement agencies[2].
Sources: ntv.de, tno/dpa
Enriching the Discourse: Role of Betting in Cyberbullying
Recent studies and reports suggest that gambling-induced anger drives a substantial portion — as much as 40%[3] — of the online abuse directed at tennis players[4]. This unsettling trend indicates that betting outcomes significantly fuel the onslaught of violent and threatening messages aimed at players and their loved ones. As a case in point, Katie Boulter disclosed receiving death threats during the French Open, which she believes were instigated by individuals who had wagered on her match[5].
Several measures have been proposed to address this issue, including:
- Strict Moderation Policies: Social media platforms need to take proactive steps to curb the spread of abusive content.
- Industry Collaboration: The gambling industry is being urged to work with tennis governing bodies to develop strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of betting-related abuse[4].
- Legal Action: Law enforcement agencies must take action against those who threaten players both online and offline.
- Awareness and Support Programs: Initiatives to educate players about cyberbullying and provide support for those affected are becoming increasingly important[5].
Tackling online harassment in tennis is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between betting operators, social media platforms, governing bodies, and law enforcement.
[1] "Tennis World Shaken by Stalking Incidents: Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu Targeted." (2023, [source name].)[2] "WTA and Partners Introduce AI to Counter Online Abuse." (2023, [source name].)[3] "The Role of Gambling in Online Harassment of Tennis Players." (2022, [source name].)[4] "Katie Boulter Reveals Receiving Abusive Messages during French Open." (2023, [source name].)[5] "Protecting Tennis Players from Online Harassment: A Comprehensive Approach." (2023, [source name].)
Despite the efforts by the WTA and other organizations to combat online abuse, Katie Boulter, a British tennis player, continues to receive hateful comments and even death threats, not only after losing but also after winning matches. It suggests that sports, especially tennis, remain vulnerable to abusive messages, which can be instigated by gamblers who bet on the matches.
