The dark side of tennis: players confront online social media hate
Abuse from the stands to the screens; social media is fueling a new mental battle.
Social media has given tennis fans unprecedented access to players, but with that access comes a wave of online abuse that has become impossible to ignore. After losses, especially in matches where betting odds are involved, players often receive a flood of hate messages from disgruntled gamblers and trolls. Daria Kasatkina has been vocal about the volume of abuse she receives, stating that it’s a constant presence after every match. Diego Schwartzman has also shared examples of threats and insults he’s received, revealing how widespread the issue has become. Even top-ranked players aren’t spared—Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Taylor Fritz have all acknowledged the disturbing level of toxicity directed their way.
The impact of this abuse extends far beyond the screen. Many players have admitted to struggling with their mental health due to the constant negativity. Fritz has spoken about how he avoids reading comments after losses to protect his mindset, while Świątek has condemned the culture of online hate, calling it “disgusting.” The WTA and ATP have made efforts to address the issue, working with organizations like This Is Me and the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) to monitor threats and provide mental health support. However, the sheer scale of the problem makes enforcement difficult, and many players feel that the measures in place are still not enough.
While tennis organizations continue to push for stricter regulations and increased cybersecurity, the responsibility also falls on social media platforms to take action. More players are calling for stricter moderation policies to identify and penalize those sending abusive messages. Some, like Kasatkina, have chosen to engage with fans on their own terms by limiting comments or stepping back from social media altogether. But until there is a more comprehensive solution, online hate remains an unfortunate and persistent challenge for professional tennis players, adding another layer of mental strain to an already demanding sport.
Marketa Vondrouaova shared a screenshot of some of the messages she has received.
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Inside the Baseline…
Social media was supposed to bring fans closer to the game, but instead, it’s given the worst kind of people a direct line to players, turning losses into battlegrounds for abuse. The fact that some players have to brace themselves for hate messages after every match, win or lose, is a disgrace. It’s easy to say, “Just ignore it,” but that’s not how the mind works, especially when the insults are relentless and deeply personal. Tennis is already a mentally grueling sport, and now, players aren’t just battling opponents but faceless trolls who think their bets give them a right to spew hatred. There needs to be action taken.
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