Caroline Garcia, a French tennis star ranked among the top 25 women’s singles players internationally, recently faced online abuse after losing a game at the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships. She took to social media to speak out against the abuse and question the role of gambling firms in promoting such behavior. Garcia shared examples of the hateful messages she received, including death threats and derogatory language, highlighting the damaging impact of online abuse on athletes.
In a post on social media, Garcia expressed her frustration with the marketing tactics of betting companies, which she believes contribute to the negative behavior directed towards players. She emphasized that the constant partnership between sports and gambling brands attracts new individuals to unhealthy betting practices, leading to increased online abuse towards athletes.
The issue of online abuse is not limited to Garcia, as other sports personalities have also faced similar threats and harassment. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recently voiced concerns about the safety of baseball players due to the rise in gambling-related threats. Garcia called out social media platforms for failing to prevent abusive content from reaching athletes and criticized the lack of checks on anonymous users.
Despite acknowledging that banning sports betting partnerships may not be the solution, Garcia suggested that promoting such partnerships could be reconsidered to reduce the negative impact on athletes. She emphasized the emotional toll that online abuse takes on players, especially younger individuals who may be more vulnerable to such attacks.
Garcia received support from fellow tennis players, including world number one Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, who thanked her for speaking out against online abuse. However, American tennis pro Jessica Pegula noted that death threats and harassment have become normalized in the sports industry, regardless of the outcome of a game.
Overall, Garcia’s public stance against online abuse sheds light on the pervasive issue faced by athletes in the digital age. By sharing her experiences and calling for change, she hopes to raise awareness about the harmful effects of online harassment and encourage the sports community to take action against such behavior.