Gamblers behind 42% of tennis players’ online abuse — Report

Professional tennis players are increasingly facing online abuse, with a significant portion of the threats coming from angry gamblers. British tennis player Jodie Burrage recently shared her experience of receiving abusive messages and death threats on social media following her loss in a WTA Tour singles match. Burrage stated that while she has grown accustomed to online abuse, some messages can still be difficult to ignore, especially during challenging times.

She called for stronger measures from social media platforms to hold users accountable for their actions.

According to a report by the WTA and World Tennis, based on data from the Signify Group’s Threat Matrix service, 42 percent of all verified online abuse directed at professional players in the 2025 season was attributed to angry gamblers. This report has raised concerns about the relationship between tennis tournaments and gambling companies, with some competitions entering sponsorship deals with betting firms.

Burrage believes that social media platforms should implement identity verification for users to discourage anonymous threats against athletes. She also emphasized that players should be able to focus on their careers without constantly worrying about abusive messages. Despite the challenges, Burrage remains focused on rebuilding her career and preparing for a successful 2027 season.