Tennis professionals receive a lot of hate messages on the Internet. A French woman publishes nasty insults – and receives support. The German number one is also affected. What are the solutions?
For Alexander Zverev, there is only one solution to hate attacks on the internet: “Ignore it.” By publishing nasty messages against herself, Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia put the ongoing topic for tennis professionals back on the agenda at the US Open. And the German number one also reported massive insults on social media when asked at the Grand Slam tournament in New York.
“Look at my Instagram, how much I get there, how many people wish death on my mother or wish death on me,” said Zverev. “There are stupid people all over the world.”
Garcia reported in powerful words that she receives hundreds of hate messages and published blatant examples of insults and even death wishes for her mother. It hurts her, but at the age of 30 she has the tools to protect herself from hate. “But it’s still not okay. It worries me when I think of young, aspiring players who have to go through this,” she wrote.
Jule Niemeier also had these experiences early in her career. She has now severely restricted the comment function under her Instagram posts. “I think it’s a shame because it takes the fun out of the whole thing,” said the Dortmund native thoughtfully after her second-round victory at the US Open about her experiences with hate messages. “When you’re younger and just coming onto the tour, many people don’t know how to deal with it.”
The 25-year-old said she spends “very little” time on social networks. These are often an important platform for sponsors. “But I post relatively little about my private life, partly because of these messages, for self-protection, to keep family and friends out. Even my brothers have received messages.” Her good friend Eva Lys had also made hate messages public in the past – and received a lot of public support after taking this step.
Looking for solutions
But what are possible approaches to combat the problem sustainably? Last year, the French Tennis Federation introduced a technological solution to protect players at the French Open from hate comments. Artificial intelligence is designed to filter messages, and the professionals have to scan a QR code before using their accounts on social networks.
“The (professional organizations) WTA and ATP are trying to find solutions,” said Niemeier appreciatively – but: “It can’t be avoided. You win a match and still get such messages, which is completely absurd.”
In her long post on social networks, Garcia called on social network operators to do more to combat hate. The world number 30 also criticized the fact that tournaments and tennis enter into sponsorship deals with betting companies. This encourages unhealthy betting behavior among people. It is noticeable that disappointed bettors can often be seen in the comment columns, who hurl wild insults at professionals after their defeats and accuse them of losing on purpose.
Players want to fight “this tragedy” together
Garcia received a lot of support from tennis circles for her statement – especially from female colleagues. World number one Iga Swiatek from Poland thanked her. World number six Jessica Pegula from the USA wrote: “The constant death threats and threats to the family have become normal.” And Tunisian Ons Jabeur responded to Garcia: “Let us all stick together to fight this tragedy.”
Source: Stern
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