Katie Boulter opens up over level of online abuse sent to tennis players
British number two Katie Boulter has lifted the lid on the level of abuse aimed at some tennis players and revealed she and her family have received death threats.
Boulter shared her experiences with BBC Sport to highlight the issue of players receiving toxic messages online.
The 28-year-old's examples included a message telling her to buy 'candles and a coffin for your entire family' with a reference to her 'grandmother's grave if she's not dead by tomorrow', one stating she should 'go to hell' as she had cost the poster money, and another stating 'hope you get cancer'.
Boulter said: 'I just wonder who the person is that has sent that. I don't think it's something that I would ever say to my worst enemy. It's just an awful, awful thing to say to anyone. It's horrible.'
Boulter believes much of the abuse comes from gamblers who have lost money and while she has learned how to better handle it over the years, incidents can raise genuine concerns for her safety.
She said: 'I think it just kind of shows how vulnerable we are. You really don't know if this person is on site. You really don't know if they're nearby or if they know where you live or anything like that.'
The message Boulter received relating to her family came during her French Open first-round victory over Carole Monnet on May 29.
And she is concerned that both the frequency and severity of the abuse is increasing and worries about the potential impact on younger players.
She said: 'I think it increases in number and it also increases in the level of things that people say. I don't think there's anything off the cards now.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
38 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Raducanu paired with Carlos Alcaraz for new-look US Open mixed doubles
The response was largely negative but the announcement of the first 16 pairs to have entered appears to have justified the move. A STAR-STUDDED 🤩 lineup of teams have officially entered the reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championship! More info: — US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 17, 2025 Raducanu will hope it is more successful than her first mixed doubles attempt at a grand slam last summer with Andy Murray at Wimbledon, where she pulled out ahead of their opening match because of concern over her wrist, denying her partner what would have been a final appearance at the All England Club. It became one of the biggest stories of the tournament, with Raducanu receiving heavy criticism and later apologising to Murray. As well as Alcaraz and Raducanu, British number one Jack Draper has entered with Olympic goal medallist Zheng Qinwen while men's world number one Jannik Sinner will play with American Emma Navarro. Carlos Alcaraz laughs in practice at Queen's Club (Ben Whitley/PA) Other pairs include women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic and fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic and off-court partners Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The event will take place on August 19 and 20, with the winners scooping a prize pot of one million US dollars (approximately £750,000). Not all the pairs announced on Tuesday might make the cut, with entries open until July 28. The top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking – which currently would not include Raducanu and Alcaraz – will qualify directly, with eight further teams given wild card spots.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Emma Raducanu has new doubles partner in US Open shake up
The response was largely negative but the announcement of the first 16 pairs to have entered appears to have justified the move. Raducanu will hope it is more successful than her first mixed doubles attempt at a grand slam last summer with Andy Murray at Wimbledon, where she pulled out ahead of their opening match because of concern over her wrist, denying her partner what would have been a final appearance at the All England Club. It became one of the biggest stories of the tournament, with Raducanu receiving heavy criticism and later apologising to Murray. Read more: As well as Alcaraz and Raducanu, British number one Jack Draper has entered with Olympic goal medallist Zheng Qinwen while men's world number one Jannik Sinner will play with American Emma Navarro. Other pairs include women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov, Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Novak Djokovic and fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic and off-court partners Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The event will take place on August 19 and 20, with the winners scooping a prize pot of one million US dollars (approximately £750,000). Not all the pairs announced on Tuesday might make the cut, with entries open until July 28. The top eight teams with the best combined singles ranking – which currently would not include Raducanu and Alcaraz – will qualify directly, with eight further teams given wild card spots.
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Owen Farrell has no regrets over France move that lasted one season
Owen Farrell insists he has no regrets from his time in France despite leaving Racing 92 after just one season to return to former club Saracens. The former England captain had called time on his 16-year stay with the Gallagher Premiership side at the end of last season, having made more than 250 appearances. However, the 33-year-old fly-half endured a disappointing, injury-disrupted campaign with the Top 14 outfit, and has rejoined Saracens on a two-year deal, returning to the club where he won three European Cups and six Premiership crowns. 🏠. #YourSaracens 💫 — Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) June 16, 2025 'I don't regret going. I don't regret doing it,' Farrell said on Sky Sports. 'Even though it was disappointing how much I played, and how fit I was when I did play at times, I still don't regret doing it. 'Even though it was disappointing, the season that we had and the injuries that came with that, I still don't see it as a negative that I have come through it'. Le Racing 92 officialise la signature d'Owen FARRELL au sein de son équipe professionnelle masculine. le communiqué de presse : — Racing 92 (@racing92) January 22, 2024 Farrell added: 'I am obviously disappointed that it went the way it went, but I am glad we did it and thankful for the experience. 'It was a difficult year injury wise, then trying to bed into a new place and not feeling like you are able to able to give the best of yourself and not really getting going. 'All the years are precious now and hopefully the best for everyone was that I was here next year. Farrell, who made his Saracens debut in 2008, just 11 days after his 17th birthday, has won 112 England caps and made six Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions. The fly-half, though, has not been included in the squad – coached by his father Andy – for this summer's tour of Australia.
