To shield players from unjustified hatred, the WTA makes a daring move. Since social media has become more popular, many things have changed over time, but the tennis world is also in a state of conflict. The internet has created needless hatred, even though it keeps fans and players in touch.
Players who have openly expressed their opposition to hate speech online include Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. With the WTA on their side and prepared to put an end to all the needless drama, however, they no longer need to fear. In response to toxic social media, the Tennis Association recently took significant action.
To stop players from being mistreated online, the tennis governing bodies have united. The USTA, AELTC, WTA, ITF, and other organizations will use a Matrix service to keep an eye on players’ social media accounts for any abuses or threatening content on many different social media platforms, such as TikTok, X, or Instagram.
Furthermore, the new monitoring service is scheduled to launch on January 1st, 2024, and it is likely to handle the unwarranted hate that tennis players occasionally experience. By identifying the individual responsible for threats and other unsuitable content, the various tennis authorities hope to safeguard their players.
Gauff and Swiatek have always been outspoken about the harassment they experience online, so it’s safe to conclude that their voices are finally being heard.
Swiatek talked about it a few months ago and stated: “I want to encourage people to be more thoughtful when they comment on the internet. We all sacrifice a lot. We’re all working really hard to be in that place.”
Following her WTA finals loss, Gauff talked honestly about starting a blocking rampage and distancing herself from her critics. She said: “I only block people who are negative, not my fans. I don’t search for these pages. It comes on my timeline. When you deal with the daily harassment I deal with every single day—death threats, racism, body shaming, etc.—it is exhausting.”
Four of the “Seven Kingdoms” in tennis launch a new service to battle online abuse of players.
A worthy cause, and an interesting split here in a fractious time for the sport:
WTA, ITF, Wimbledon and USTA joined forces on this;
ATP, Tennis Australia, and FFT sitting it out. pic.twitter.com/ErRJaRnA0u
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 20, 2023
Coco Gauff in 2023
LWWLWWWWWW Currently ranked no.3 (career-high), Gauff played her last match on the 4th of November when she capitulated to world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-1 in the semifinal in Cancun (draw).
Until now, during this year the American has achieved a 51-16 win-loss record. Gauff has won 4 titles in 2023 in Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
Iga Swiatek in 2023
WLWLWWWWLW Now the world no.1, Swiatek played her last match on the 6th of November when she beat world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-0 in the final in Cancun to win her 17th career title.
During this season Swiatek has managed to achieve a composed 68-11 win-loss record. Iga has won 6 titles in 2023 in Doha, Stuttgart, French Open, Warsaw, Beijing and Cancun. Swiatek was the runner-up in Dubai and Madrid.
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek squared off 10 times. Their actual head to head record is 9-1 for Swiatek. Before, the last time they played, Iga Swiatek won 6-0 7-5 in the round robin in Cancun (WTA Finals) on the 1st of November 2023.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
