Elina Svitolina has revealed she received death threats and a torrent of online abuse from angry bettors after her Canadian Open quarter-final loss to Naomi Osaka.
The 30-year-old Ukrainian, a former world number three, fell 6-2, 6-2 to the four-time Grand Slam champion in Montreal and later posted screenshots of the threats on Instagram.
She condemned the behavior, writing: “I’m a mom before I’m an athlete… The way you talk to women – to mothers – is SHAMEFUL.”
Some of the abusive messages referenced the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Studies show nearly half of all social media abuse toward tennis players stems from gambling frustration.
Fellow pros, including France’s Caroline Garcia, have previously called for stronger action from platforms to protect players after tough losses.
The WTA has yet to comment on Svitolina’s case, while her husband, Gael Monfils, has previously mocked bettors for targeting players after defeats.
