Jack Draper serves up brutal condemnation of online trolls after shocking Katie Boulter interview
Jack Draper has hit out at online trolls after British No 2 sparked a huge reaction following her outspoken criticism of online trolls.
Boulter’s interview with BBC highlighted the cruel abuse she gets online, with vile snipes about her and members of her family sparking a strong reaction.
At the very start of my career, it’s probably something I took very personally… getting comments about the way you look,” said Boulter.
“It becomes more apparent every single time you go on your phone. I think it increases in number and it also increases in the level of things that people say. I don’t think there’s anything off the cards now.”
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Referencing the message from a social media user expressing a ‘hope that she gets cancer’, Boulter added: “I just wonder who the person is that has sent that. I don’t think it’s something that I would ever say to my worst enemy. It’s just an awful, awful thing to say to anyone. It’s horrible.”
Her fellow Brit Emma Raducanu has also been a target for online trolls and stalkers and when asked about the comments asked about Boulter’s interview after he won his first round match at the HSBC Championships, as he was unforgiving in his condemnation of the authors of the messages.
“I saw her interview. I think she’s correct in what she’s saying about future generations,” said Draper.
“I think we’re lucky enough to maybe have grown up into social media, whereas, you know, the generation coming up are growing up with it.
“So they know nothing different. I think it’s so easy to spread online hate.
“It’s not easy, especially, I think she said, when you’re younger and you lose a match or something, and you come into the professional tour and getting all this abuse saying they will come around your house and do this and that. It’s not nice.”
Draper then took a brutal swipe of his own at social media trolls, with comments leaving little to the imagination.
“I take comfort knowing that whoever’s doing that probably sat on their mum’s couch, nailing a bag of Quavers with their pants on,” he stated.
“I mean, I’m not that worried about that, to be honest. I just, to be honest, I don’t really do social media. I don’t really see it too much.
“But there does need to be something that gets done about not just in tennis but in professional sport.
“It’s too easy to spread hate. I guess that’s Twitter, Instagram, that’s the world we live in. I’m not a fan of social media at all.”
Draper’s comments are certain to spark plenty of headlines, with the world No 6 now a big presence in the sport heading into a summer that will see him lead the British challenge at Wimbledon for the first time.
His decision to step into the debate around online trolls highlights his growing confidence to use his voice in a positive manner and he should be applauded for his strong statements on online hate.
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