As Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and 2025 French Open champion, prepares for her campaign at the Berlin Tennis Open, she has thrust the spotlight onto a darker side of professional tennis: the rampant online abuse targeting players. The 21-year-old American star has joined a growing chorus of athletes demanding a clampdown on social media harassment, revealing the deeply personal and disturbing nature of the attacks she endures. Speaking candidly ahead of her second-round match against China’s Wang Xinyu, Gauff detailed the “gross” messages she receives, underscoring the urgent need for platforms to take responsibility.
The issue of online abuse has surged to the forefront of tennis discourse, amplified by a recent WTA and ITF report that exposed the scale of the problem. In 2024 alone, nearly 500 female players faced over 8,000 abusive, violent, or threatening comments, with a staggering 40% linked to disgruntled gamblers. Five players, including Gauff, absorbed more than a quarter of the total abuse, highlighting the disproportionate targeting of high-profile stars. “It’s the worst you can get,” Gauff said, her voice carrying both resolve and frustration. “Death threats, to your family, to yourself. I’ve had people DM my boyfriend and friends about it. Racist comments, like all you can imagine. Nudity, things like that. It’s a gross kind of thing that we have going on in tennis.”
Gauff’s revelations echo the experiences of peers like Katie Boulter, Jessica Pegula, and Gael Monfils, who have also spoken out about the toll of online vitriol. Boulter, the British No. 2, recently shared her fear of threatening messages, noting, “You don’t know if this person is nearby… or if they know where you live.” The WTA’s findings, backed by AI-driven data from Signify Group, revealed that 77% of private message abuse stemmed from gamblers, with 15 cases escalating to law enforcement. Gauff, however, emphasized that the problem extends beyond tennis. “It’s something that we have to keep bringing awareness to,” she urged. “I would love for some of the social media platforms to get involved, not only when it comes to tennis players. Influencers, other athletes, they all get these comments, so it’s something that can be addressed.”
The young star proposed a practical solution: stricter account bans tied to phone numbers or emails to prevent abusers from creating new profiles. “For me, it’s more about banning these accounts and banning people with the same phone number or email from making new accounts,” she explained. “You can block [them], but they just go and make a new account. There has to be a way to fix that system.” Gauff’s proactive stance reflects her resilience, honed through years of navigating fame since her breakout at Wimbledon in 2019 at age 15. Yet, the emotional weight of such abuse is undeniable, particularly for a player who has been open about her mental health struggles and advocacy for social justice.
Gauff’s call to action comes at a critical juncture for tennis, as heightened security measures at tournaments like Wimbledon—prompted by incidents like Emma Raducanu’s stalking case—underscore the real-world implications of online threats. While Gauff noted she has never faced “threatening” in-person encounters, she admitted to an unsettling experience where someone attempted to follow her home. Her comments also follow a personal triumph over adversity: after Aryna Sabalenka’s controversial remarks post-French Open final, Gauff accepted her apology, stating, “She texted me two or maybe three days ago, she sent a text apologizing. I understand things can get emotional and things can be said.”
As Gauff shifts her focus to the grass-court season, her advocacy off the court remains as impactful as her forehand. Her courage in confronting abuse not only amplifies the WTA’s efforts but also challenges social media platforms to rethink their role in protecting public figures. For fans, Gauff’s resolve is a reminder of her strength, both as a champion and a voice for change in a sport grappling with its digital demons.
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