Elina Svitolina Speaks Out Against Hateful Online Abuse Following Loss to Naomi Osaka

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Elina Svitolina, a Ukrainian tennis player, has recently highlighted the torrent of online abuse she faced from disgruntled gamblers. After her defeat to Naomi Osaka in the National Bank Open quarter-finals, Svitolina shared screenshots of hateful messages on Instagram.

The abuse included death threats and comments celebrating Russian aggression against Ukrainians.

Her husband, Gael Monfils, a Black French tennis player, was also targeted with racial slurs. One message expressed a wish for the death of all Ukrainians amid the ongoing conflict in Svitolina's homeland. In response, Svitolina stated on Instagram, "To all the bettors: I'm a mum before I'm an athlete. The way you talk to women—to mothers—is SHAMEFUL. If your mothers saw your messages, they'd be disgusted."

Online Abuse in Tennis

Earlier this year, British tennis player Katie Boulter revealed she received death threats during the French Open. These threats targeted both her and her family. Boulter mentioned in a BBC interview that such online abuse has become commonplace. She believes many abusive messages are from individuals betting on tennis matches.

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) have urged betting companies to address this issue. They want these companies to help reduce the online abuse players face on social media platforms. A recent report by WTA and ITF showed that 458 players were subjected to over 8,000 abusive comments and posts in 2024.

Impact of Gambling on Player Safety

The report highlighted that 40% of these abusive messages originated from "angry gamblers." This statistic underscores the significant role gambling plays in fueling online hostility towards players. The organisations are calling for more stringent measures to protect athletes from such harmful interactions.

Svitolina's experience is not isolated, as many athletes face similar challenges. The growing trend of online abuse linked to sports betting raises concerns about player safety and mental health. As the issue persists, there is increasing pressure on stakeholders to find effective solutions.

The situation demands attention from authorities and sports organisations worldwide. Addressing this problem is crucial to ensuring a safer environment for athletes across all sports disciplines.

With inputs from PTI