In a bold move to combat the rising tide of online abuse directed at female tennis players, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) are intensifying pressure on gambling companies to suspend the accounts of punters who harass athletes. A recent report revealed shocking statistics: last year, 458 players were targeted with abuse, with 40% of social media vitriol and a staggering 77% of direct messages traced back to frustrated gamblers. This alarming trend has prompted tennis authorities to demand action, with some betting operators already responding.
The WTA and ITF’s report, powered by an AI-driven detection system from the Signify Group, uncovered over 8,000 abusive posts from 4,200 accounts, with 26% targeting just five female players. The abuse ranged from vile insults to chilling death threats. British No. 2 Katie Boulter, for instance, shared her harrowing experiences with the BBC, revealing she received death threats and explicit images. One message during the French Open wished cancer upon her, while another instructed her to “buy candles and a coffin for your entire family” and threatened to desecrate her grandmother’s grave. Such messages have sent shockwaves through the tennis community, highlighting the urgent need for change.
In response, tennis authorities have escalated discussions with gambling companies, urging them to ban abusive users and fund educational campaigns to curb online hate. FanDuel, the WTA’s official gaming partner in the U.S., took a significant step this week by updating its terms and conditions. On June 24, FanDuel emailed its users about a new clause allowing the company to suspend or terminate accounts of those who harass athletes, broadening the definition of harassment to protect players, coaches, and officials. This move aligns with FanDuel’s partnership with the WTA, which grants the company access to official scoring data and video highlights for its platforms.
The Gambling Commission is also involved, exploring the use of its self-exclusion database—originally designed to protect problem gamblers—to blacklist abusers. While 15 of the worst offenders have been reported to law enforcement and banned from purchasing tickets to Grand Slam tournaments and ATP/WTA events, tennis authorities are frustrated by the betting industry’s slow response. However, the WTA and ITF remain optimistic, stating, “The report has sparked constructive dialogue with the betting industry. We will continue to push for stronger action to eliminate betting-related abuse in tennis.”
The crisis has drawn impassioned pleas from players like two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, who called for lifetime betting bans for abusers. “The betting companies need to vet these people and look at their social media,” Jabeur told the BBC. “If they attack players, they should be banned for life.” Her frustration echoes a broader sentiment in the sport: despite years of discussion, meaningful change has been slow.
As tennis authorities and gambling companies navigate this complex issue, the push for accountability is gaining momentum. With FanDuel leading the charge and discussions intensifying, the sport is taking a stand to protect its players from the toxic fallout of gambling-related abuse. The hope is that these efforts will not only safeguard athletes but also set a precedent for other sports grappling with similar challenges.