Caroline Garcia was easily beaten yesterday by Renata Zarazua at the 2024 US Open 6-1, 6-4 in favour of the Mexican. But the issues arose when she lost out and she received death threats on social media.
The 28th seed though who has received her fair share after winning the WTA Finals then falling away has written a lengthy essay on the topic showing some messages and taking a strong stand.
She said that tournaments themselves are complicit by partnering with betting companies and she feels sorry for the young players coming through who now have to endure this.
"This are some of the messages I received lately after loosing some matches. Just a few of them. There’s hundreds. And now, being 30 years old, although they still hurt, because at the end of the day, 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.
Social media platforms don’t prevent it, despite AI being in a very advanced position.
"Tournaments and the sport keeps partnering with betting companies, which keep attracting new people to unhealthy betting. The days of cigarette brands sponsoring sports are long gone. Yet, here we are promoting betting companies, which actively destroy the life of some people.
"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."
Paula Badosa and Jessica Pegula applauded the Frenchwoman for taking a stand with the latter saying: "Yep. The constant death threats and family threats are normal now. Win or lose."
