From Iga Swiatek and Danielle Collins to Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios: How players reacted to Caroline Garcia's revelation of death threats and hate messages after US Open 2024 loss
Iga Swiatek, Danielle Collins and Frances Tiafoe were among some of top players who came out in support of Caroline Garcia after the Frenchwoman called out online abuse after her first-round exit at the 2024 US Open.
The World No. 30 suffered a 6-1, 6-4 loss against Renata Zarazua on Tuesday, August 27. Next day, Garcia shared a few abusive messages and threats that she received online following her defeat.
She took to X (formerly Twitter) to speak up against the hateful nature of the messages.
"This are some of the messages I received lately after loosing some matches. Just a few of them. There’s hundreds. And now, being 30 years old, although they still hurt, because at the end of the day, I’m just a normal girl working really hard and trying my best, I have tools and have done work to protect myself from this hate. But still, this is not ok," she wrote.
She added that many players face the same ordeal online particularly after a loss.
"Maybe you can think that it doesn’t hurt us. But it does. We are humans. And sometimes, when we receive this messages we are already emotionally destroyed after a tough loss. And they can be damaging. Many before me have raised the subject. And still, no progress has been made,” she added.
Garcia also mentioned the role of social media platforms and betting companies and closed the post with a heartfelt plea:
“Be kind. Give love. Enjoy life.”
Social media was abuzz after her post with many players writing in support of her views. Here are some of the players' reactions to online abuse faced by athletes in light of Garcia's revelations.
Iga Swiatek, Danielle Collins, Frances Tiafoe, Nick Kyrgios: Players' reaction to Caroline Garcia's revelation of death threats and hate messages after US Open 2024 loss
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been an advocate of mental well-being. The Pole was nominated for 2022 Rise and Raise award by UN Women in the category of Good health and Well Being. She had also donated 300,000 PLN to UNICEF Poland for the cause of mental health awareness and support the same year.
Iga Swiatek reposted Garcia's message on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"Thank you for this voice."
Nick Kyrgios was also quick to respond to Garcia's post.
"This is digusting behaviour. Heads up Caro," Kyrgios reacted.
Garcia's doubles partner at the US Open, Danielle Collins took to Instagram to share that she has also been at the receiving end of similar online hate. Collins notably suffered an opening round loss at the 2024 US Open.
"Since I've turned pro I have received these exact messages on a daily basis. While we've developed a think skin, the poor behaviour of these people isn't justified," Collins wrote.
"How is it that these people can get away with sending messages like the ones Caro shared with zero repercussions? If we were working at a "normal" job, most HR departments won't tolerate this type of abuse. So why is it ok at our work?" she added.
After a walkover in the second round, Frances Tiafoe was asked in a post-match press conference on his social media experience.
The American said that while he was able to deal with it, he empathized with players who were affected because of it.
“I get it. I've been getting cooked for a long time. It’s never good. People are saying outlandish stuff. It’s just wild," he said [at 6:48].
"The biggest thing I would tell players, other colleagues, men, women… these people are going to follow your life regardless. Don’t hang your head so low on these things. They follow your life. You don’t care about anything they do. They’ll continue to follow your life. You’re the important person."
"But again, I’m not gonna say it’s an easy thing. Personally, I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me. But I get why it bothers people.”
Paula Badosa shared Garcia's post and used a clap emoji to laud her effort to speak up against unwarranted online comments. She also expressed her views on the issue on Instagram.
Jessica Pegula also chimed in and acknowledged that such comments were unfortunately "normal now".
"Yep. The constant death threats and family threats are normal now. Win or lose," Jessica Pegula wrote on X.
Here are some more reactions from players.
Efforts have been made in the past to protect players' mental health with respect to disparaging online comments including AI protection from social media by French Open organizers since the past two years.
However, social media remains a double-edged sword, allowing players to engage with fans with the perils of online abuse.