Elina Svitolina received death threats and hateful messages after losing to Naomi Osaka.
The abuse included racist slurs aimed at her husband, Gael Monfils, and hateful comments about the war in Ukraine.
Svitolina called the bettors' behavior "shameful," emphasizing her role as a mother.
This incident highlights the increasing trend of online abuse directed at athletes, often fueled by frustrated gamblers.
The WTA and ITF have called for betting companies to take action against online abuse.
Following her straight-sets defeat to Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open in Toronto, Elina Svitolina took to Instagram to share examples of the hateful messages she received. These messages included death threats, racist slurs against her husband Gael Monfils, and disturbing comments related to the war in Ukraine.
Svitolina’s experience is not unique. British player Katie Boulter also reported receiving death threats during the French Open. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) have acknowledged the growing problem, with a recent report indicating that 40% of online abuse directed at tennis players comes from angry gamblers. This has prompted calls for betting companies to take responsibility and implement measures to protect athletes from online harassment.
Why This Matters: The increasing prevalence of online abuse is a serious concern for athletes. It can affect their mental health, performance, and overall well-being. The involvement of gambling adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and accountability within the sports betting industry.
Q: What kind of abuse did Elina Svitolina receive?
Svitolina received death threats, racist slurs, and hateful messages related to the war in Ukraine.
Q: Why are athletes receiving more online abuse?
The rise of online sports betting has contributed to an increase in abuse from frustrated gamblers.
Q: What is being done to address this issue?
The WTA and ITF are working to raise awareness and are calling on betting companies to take action to protect athletes.
Online abuse against athletes is a growing problem, often fueled by frustrated gamblers.
Such abuse can have severe consequences for athletes' mental health and well-being.
Sports organizations and betting companies need to take responsibility for protecting athletes from online harassment.
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