Tennis player Elina Svitolina faces hateful abuse after loss, blames ‘shameful’ bettors

Tennis player Elina Svitolina recently faced a barrage of hateful abuse online after losing a match in Canada. The abuse included messages wishing her death and celebrating Russia killing her compatriots. This shocking display of online harassment highlights the toxic environment that athletes, especially female athletes, often face on social media.

After her loss to Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals of the National Bank Open, Svitolina took to Instagram to expose the abusive messages she received. The abuse was not only directed at her but also targeted her husband, French tennis player Gael Monfils, who is Black. One particularly vile message wished for Russia to “kill all Ukrainians” in reference to the ongoing war in Svitolina’s country.

In response to the abuse, Svitolina posted a message on her Instagram story, emphasizing that she is a mother first and an athlete second. She called out the bettors responsible for the hateful messages, condemning their shameful behavior towards women and mothers. This incident sheds light on the pervasive issue of online abuse directed at athletes, particularly female athletes, and the need for stronger measures to combat it.

Unfortunately, Svitolina is not the only tennis player to face such despicable treatment online. Earlier this year, British player Katie Boulter revealed that she received death threats during the French Open, targeting both her and her family. The WTA and ITF have called on betting companies to take action to curb the flood of online abuse that players face on social media.

A recent report by the WTA and ITF revealed that 458 tennis players were targeted by over 8,000 abusive comments and posts on social media in 2024. Shockingly, 40% of this abuse came from angry gamblers. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for stronger protections for athletes against online harassment and abuse.

In conclusion, the online abuse directed at Elina Svitolina and other tennis players is a troubling reminder of the toxic culture that exists on social media. It is imperative that steps are taken to address this issue and ensure that athletes can compete in a safe and respectful environment both on and off the court.