‘I’m used to it’, Shelby Rogers expects death threats after defeat to Emma Raducanu
American star Shelby Rogers says she expects to receive death threats following her straight sets defeat to Emma Raducanu at the fourth round stage of the US Open.
Rogers, who pulled off of the biggest shocks of the tournament to oust world number one Ash Barty, failed to replicate her form against the 18-year-old Raducanu in a 6-1 6-2 defeat.
Following her loss, Rogers admitted she expects to receive numerous messages of online hate and admits she wishes social media did not exist.
Her compatriot Sloane Stephens, who lost to Angelique Kerber in the third round, said she received around 2,000 messages of online abuse.
“Obviously we appreciate the spotlight in those moments,” Rogers said in her post-match press conference.
“But then you have today and I’m going to have nine million death threats and whatnot. It’s very much polarising, one extreme to the other very quickly.
“At this point in my career, I’d say I’m used to it. I kind of wish social media didn’t exist. You could probably go through my profile right now I’m probably a fat pig and words that I can’t say right now.
“It’s part of marketing now, we have contracts, we have to post certain things. It is what it is. You try not to take it to heart, and it’s the unfortunate side of any sport.
“You know, just focus on the important things, not comments from people in their mum’s basement. It’s really unfortunate and some of it does get to your head sometimes.”
Stephens uploaded screenshots of three comments she received and said: “This type of hate is so exhausting and never ending.
“This isn’t talked about enough, but it really freaking sucks… I’m happy to have people in my corner who support me. I’m choosing positive vibes over negative ones.
“I choose to show you guys happiness on here, but it’s not always smiles and roses.”
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