When Katie Boulter steps onto the court, most see a fierce competitor, but behind the scenes, Boulter unleashes the brutal truth about the relentless, disturbing online abuse that threatens her career and safety.
After surviving a tense French Open match, she faced not just defeat or victory, but a flood of death threats and hateful messages fueled largely by frustrated gamblers.
This is more than just words, it’s a dangerous reality for athletes worldwide, and Boulter is bravely pulling back the curtain to expose this hidden crisis and call for urgent change.
Katie Boulter Reveals the Harsh Reality of Online Abuse
British tennis player Katie Boulter opened up about the relentless and disturbing abuse she faces on social media. After a tense first-round match at the French Open, Boulter shared screenshots of hateful messages, including death threats.
One message said, “Hope you get cancer,” while another threatened to desecrate her grandmother’s grave. Despite winning the match, Boulter described her response to these messages as “a mix of despair, resignation and fear.”
Reflecting on the nature of the abuse, she said:
“It 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.”
Boulter also noted how abuse has become “the norm,” warning of its increasing severity:
“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.”
The Role of Betting in Fueling Abuse
Boulter believes much of the abuse she receives comes from people who have bet on her matches, frustrated by wins or losses. She described how abuse often follows both outcomes:
“A lot of the time you get it after you win as well.”
Data on Abuse Linked to Gambling
Statistics shared by Signify Group, ITF, and WTA reveal a worrying pattern: in 2024, around 8,000 abusive messages were sent publicly to 458 tennis players via social media. A striking 40% of detected abuse was linked to betting activity, often identifiable by timing or message content.
- Five players received more than a quarter of all abuse.
- The most prolific abuser sent 263 messages.
- 15 accounts were reported to law enforcement, with 9 of the top 10 suspended or having content removed.
- 39 accounts were referred to tennis and betting authorities for further action.
Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, said:
“A significant proportion of abuse comes from a relatively small number of accounts.”
The Emotional Toll
Boulter described the difficulty of ignoring the flood of hateful messages:
“It’s just not something you want to be reading straight after an emotional loss.”
She also revealed that her fiancé, Australian player Alex de Minaur, receives abuse related to her matches and his own, highlighting the spillover effect on relationships:
“As a couple, we actually both get a little bit from each other as well.”
Measures Being Taken and Calls for Further Action
Efforts to protect players are underway, but challenges remain. Tennis authorities have introduced an AI-led detection system called Threat Matrix, developed in partnership with betting companies, to identify and act on abusive messages.
Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, stated:
“We try very hard to protect the players when they’re on site and digitally we are investing in helping to support them to not have that abuse happen.”
The WTA and ITF emphasized that protecting players is “a key priority”, adding:
“Perpetrators must understand that they will face consequences for their actions.”
The Role of Social Media and Betting Companies
Betting and Gaming Council representatives condemned abuse on social media, calling for swift action:
“It is vital social media companies take swift action against users, and remove offensive content.”
Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, has developed tools to filter and hide abusive content but declined further comment on record.
Players’ Voices and the Future
Katie Boulter also spoke about the impact of explicit images sent to players, calling it “a larger problem” especially concerning young audiences. She has tried to engage with some abusers in hopes of making them reconsider their actions:
“Sometimes the replies I actually get from that is them saying: ‘Oh no, I’m a huge fan. I’m so sorry… I still support you.’”
Boulter is preparing for abuse to intensify at Wimbledon, her home Grand Slam, calling the expected volume “pretty astronomical.”