WTA star slams ‘damaging’ social media abuse and calls for change

Oli Dickson Jefford 28 Aug 2024 6:27 PM

Caroline Garcia has slammed "damaging" social media abuse.

Caroline Garcia has called for tennis and social media companies to make significant changes as she shared some of the “damaging” messages she received in recent weeks.

Former world No 4 Garcia was beaten in round one of the US Open, with the 28th seed falling in straight sets by Renata Zarazua.

Following Tuesday’s defeat, the French star – the winner of 11 WTA Tour singles titles – took to Twitter/X earlier today to call out some of the abuse she had received in recent weeks.

Among the messages she shared were posts saying “A clown belongs in the circus” and “I hope your mom dies soon”.

Garcia detailed that she had the “tools” to protect herself from abuse, but worried about younger players breaking through.

She wrote: “I’m just a normal girl working really hard and trying my best, I have tools and have done work to protect myself from this hate. But still, this is not ok.

“It really worries me when I think about younger players coming up, that have to go through this. People that still haven’t yet developed fully as a human and that really might be affected by this hate.

“Maybe you can think that it doesn’t hurt us. But it does. We are humans. And sometimes, when we receive this messages we are already emotionally destroyed after a tough loss. And they can be damaging.

“Many before me have raised the subject. And still, no progress has been made.”

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Garcia called for tennis to re-evaluate its relationship with betting and questioned why social media companies allow people to send messages anonymously.

She added: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they should be banned as people are free to do whatever they want with their money. But maybe we should not promote them.

“Also, if someone decided to say this things to me in public, he could have legal issues. So why online we are free to do anything? Shouldn’t we reconsider anonymity online?

“I know those who write these terrible messages won’t change because of this. But maybe you, next time you see a post from an athlete, singer or any other person, that has failed or lost, you will remember that she or he is also a human being, trying his best in life.”

Garcia received a wide range of support from fellow WTA stars on Twitter/X, with Paula Badosa, Katie Boulter, and Bianca Andreescu sharing her message.

While world No 6 Jessica Pegula backed up her sentiment, adding: “Yep. The constant death threats and family threats are normal now. Win or lose.”