Caroline Garcia Speaks Out on Online Abuse

Caroline Garcia, the French tennis player, has openly shared her distress over the hate and violent threats she received on social media following her first-round loss at the U.S. Open. In a heartfelt post, she revealed that she receives countless hateful messages, including explicit threats, which she finds particularly concerning for younger athletes who may not be fully developed to cope with such negativity. Garcia criticized the partnership between sports and betting companies, suggesting that it exacerbates the harmful rhetoric fans direct at players. She expressed that while online anonymity allows for such behavior, it should be reconsidered given the potential damage it causes. Fellow tennis star Jessie Pegula echoed Garcia's sentiments, highlighting that threats have become a normalized aspect of athletes' experiences. Garcia's message calls for greater accountability and awareness regarding online harassment and its impact on mental health.