Tennis star targeted by angry gamblers

Former satellite fig 3 Elina Svitolina, a 30-year-old Ukrainian, precocious faced societal media backlash aft her quarterfinal nonaccomplishment astatine the WTA Montreal tournament. She mislaid to four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-2. Although the sporting effect was clear, Svitolina was the people of galore insults and decease threats, coming from radical who had stake connected her victory.

In her Instagram post, Elina shared messages that were filled with hatred and convulsive threats. "To each gamblers: I americium a ma earlier I americium an athlete," she wrote loudly and clearly. She added a crisp remark: "The mode you speech to women, to mothers, is shameful. If your moms saw your messages, they would beryllium disgusted."

Online gambling abuse

Svitolina is not unsocial successful facing this problem. Many athletes, including tennis players, often endure the wrath of gamblers connected societal networks, particularly aft a loss. Despite efforts to halt it, including blocking malicious profiles, the occupation persists.

Some of the insults that Elina received were besides related to the warfare successful Ukraine, which further shows however the maltreatment is sometimes politically motivated. Studies by starring tennis organizations person revealed that disgruntled gamblers are liable for astir fractional of each forms of online maltreatment of players successful the past year.

French Caroline Garcia, who herself was the people of insults aft losing astatine the US Open, said that "unhealthy betting" is 1 of the main reasons wherefore athletes are often exposed to this benignant of pressure. "It particularly affects pistillate players aft dense losses, erstwhile they are emotionally weak," Garcia said, expressing interest astir however this could impact younger tennis players.

Svitolina's husband, the celebrated French tennis subordinate Gael Monfils, reacted to these attacks humorously successful his ain way. After an aboriginal decision successful Stuttgart this year, helium said: "I'm amazed that radical are inactive betting connected maine to triumph against overmuch younger opponents."