Female Tennis Players Encounter Over 12,000 Abusive Social Media Posts in 2025

In 2025, female tennis players were subjected to over 12,000 abusive posts and messages on social media, according to a recent report by the Signify Group's threat matrix service. This figure reflects a similar level of abuse as reported in 2024.

The report noted some positive developments, with 66% of serious abusive content being removed and 35 accounts linked to 12 individuals referred to law enforcement. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) player board condemned the abuse, stating it was "unacceptable" and could have significant repercussions for the players.

The report also indicated that a considerable portion of the abusive posts originated from angry gamblers, accounting for 42% of verified abuse in 2025 and 59% of serious cases. This trend highlights a troubling connection between gambling and online harassment in sports.

Katie Boulter, a prominent British player, has previously spoken out about receiving death threats, underscoring the personal impact of this abuse. In response, fellow players have called for identity verification measures on social media platforms to help mitigate the issue.

The WTA and World Tennis emphasized the need for collective action among social media companies, law enforcement, and the gambling industry to make meaningful progress in addressing online abuse. They believe that insights from the report can aid in understanding the problem better and in taking decisive actions against offenders.