"Constant death and family threats are normal now" - Jessica Pegula, Paula Badosa echo Caroline Garcia after Frenchwoman receives hatred for poor form
Jessica Pegula and Paula Badosa echoed the sentiments of Caroline Garcia, who raised concern over some hateful fan messages she received after her US Open 1R exit. Despite her best efforts to protect herself, Garcia shared that the negativity impacted her significantly.
Garcia, the two-time French Open doubles champion, clashed against Mexican Renata Zarazua in the first round of the 2024 US Open. She lost in straight sets 1-6, 4-6 and failed to advance to the second round.
Before heading to the doubles first round at the US Open, the 30-year-old took to her X handle to share some hateful fan messages, including death threats that she received after her 1R exit.
"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.
In response, American tennis player Jessica Pegula addressed the same issue and shared:
"Yep. The constant death threats and family threats are normal now. Win or lose."
Below are some of the messages Garcia received:
"You should consider sh***ing yourself"
"A clown belongs in the circus"
"Hope your mom dies soon"
"You are a piece of shit"
Spanish player Paula Badosa also chimed in and shared Garcia's post with a clapping emoji.
Pegula clashed against Shelby Rogers in the first round of the 2024 US Open and claimed a straight-set win 6-4, 6-3. She will next be up against Sofia Kenin on August 29, 2024. Badosa has advanced to the third round after beating Taylor Townsend in straight sets.
Caroline Garcia urges fans to treat the athletes as humans without spreading hate
The 30-year-old opened up about her attempts to protect herself but felt that people who write such vile messages won't change, saying:
"I know those who write these terrible messages won’t change because of this. But maybe you, next time you see a post from an athlete, singer or any other person, that has failed or lost, you will remember that she or he is also a human being, trying his best in life."
Caroline Garcia will pair up with Danielle Collins of the United States and clash in the doubles against the US pair, Anna Sinclair Rogers and Alana Smith.