"This is what professional athlete has to face after almost each loss" - Jelena Ostapenko exposes life threatening and fat-shaming messages in wake of Canadian Open trouncing
WTAWednesday, 05 August 2026 at 10:00
A month after lifting the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon, things most certainly did not go to plan for Jelena Ostapenko. She retired in her second round match at the Canadian Open while trailing 6-0, 4-0 to Shuai Zhang. What followed was an abhorrent amount of abuse being directed her way with the Latvian responding to it.
It was evident that something was not right for the 2017 Roland Garros champion who was not herself on court in Toronto, struggling significantly as her Chinese opponent flourished.
Regularly on the back foot, Ostapenko conceded 14 break points in her five service games played and failed to create any herself. This was a recipe for disaster, and Zhang was clinical enough to convert those points to seal a bagel lead in 33 minutes before dropping just four points in the shortened second set.
After going 15-0 up, Ostapenko decided to call it a day, halting the public humiliation and preserving her body while not wanting to worsen the problem anymore. She had completed a medical timeout just beforehand. This prolongs her poor form in the Canadian Open, never having made it past the third round in 10 attempts.
Read also
Ostapenko claps back at abuse
Following proceedings, waves upon waves of torrid abuse and criticism was directed her way, and a lot of that was seen by the 29-year-old who had enough of the troll, fighting back in numerous Instagram stories exposing these messages.
While confirming she was not well on court, Ostapenko viciously lashed back. "These great messages that you receive after a very bad day on the court feeling not well (health wise) I am sure none of you guys have an idea of what professional sports is," she wrote.
Another screenshot followed with more nasty comments, in which Ostapenko added: "This is what professional athlete has to face after almost each loss."
Jelena Ostapenko suffered with illness in her opening match defeat at the Canadian Open 2026
These ranged from being about tennis, fat-shaming and even threatening her and her families life. "Also, life-threatening comments and messages @kingt_t," she wrote. "@Instagram please do something about this toxic profile not only to me but also to the other tennis players."
This is still a huge problem in tennis which affects most players on the tour. Sports betting seems to be the most common incentive for many to share these horrific comments, but on whatever platform players are being forced to hide and shelter from all the horrible things being directed their way.
Competitors react in different ways to this influx of abuse. Some turn off their phones and devices and even go lengths to delete social media and deactivate their accounts so they do not see any of it. That is the cruel reality many of these top tennis players have to go through, especially when they are on the end of a very nasty defeat.
Ostapenko's tournament is still not over. A return to doubles action alongside Su-Wei Hsieh for the first time since reaching the Qatar Open final earlier this year is on the cards as they take on Donna Vekic and Maria Sakkari on Thursday.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Wow!! Haven't seen a Volley-A-Thon like that in a long time. This Bejlik girl has some great stuff. Iga got a hell of a workout.
mandoist04-08-2026 - Yes, "so cruel". It's so bad she's been forced to "train" at an exclusive resort in St. Moritz, Switzerland.mandoist04-08-2026
- Writer states: "These different brands have slight differences that the players need to get used to" That is the dumbest F-ing thing I've heard in quite some time. A sports fan (I assume a fan) telling the World's Top Players they are, essentially, full of shit.mandoist02-08-2026
- No Final today. 200% Humidity.mandoist02-08-2026
- Pro Sports is still pretending the Climate is not going to be a physical health factor -- getting hotter and more debilitating for animals and Humans. Well, it's not whether the climate is "going to" get hotter... IT IS ALREADY HERE!! Sport governing bodies and venues are -- and have been -- disregarding the warnings regarding the Future temperatures when it comes to outdoor events and potential injury (or even death) of fans & athletes alike. Are these financially greedy entities intentionally pretending Climate Change is not happening? Or merely gambling with their own futures, as well as the athletes' health and futures as well? It is time to pay attention to the warming trend and be empathetic toward their money-makers (athletes) -- not PATHETIC.mandoist29-07-2026
- CORRECTION Required: Jannik is WORLD NO. 1 and not 2. "The same can be said for Sinner and Djokovic. The """"World No.2""""" cited health reasons for not going, preserving his body for the Cincinnati Open ahead of the important US Open. If he was set to participate in both, it would be a lot of tennis with him likely to win both tournaments ahead of the trip to Flushing Meadows."J29-07-2026
- That does not sound very healthy
AceOfBase29-07-2026 - Interesting to see and watch the son of a great tennis player. Will he get better than his dad, or not :-)AceOfBase29-07-2026
- What clear-thinking player at the top of the field needs to Double-up with Ranking No. 469??mandoist27-07-2026
- It's refreshing to see a young and evolving player with enough intelligence to not fall for this 'Williams Charade'. Too bad the WTA -- and all the phony insiders -- cannot be Honest about No. 469 and put a stop to it. WTA has Qualifiers for a reason!!mandoist27-07-2026
Loading