The results of the study show that gambling-related abuse accounted for 48% of all incidents, and angry gamblers were the main source of harassment.
A groundbreaking initiative to combat online abuse targeting tennis players and officials has yielded significant results, revealing a disturbing prevalence of gambling-fueled harassment.
Key Findings:
Widespread Abuse: The initiative, implemented across various social media platforms, identified over 12,000 abusive comments, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Gambling-Driven Harassment: A staggering 48% of abusive posts originated from disgruntled gamblers, demonstrating the significant impact of gambling culture on online abuse within the sport.
Sexist and Explicit Remarks: The study also revealed a concerning prevalence of sexist and explicit remarks directed towards players and officials.
Protecting Athletes from Online Harassment:
The initiative, a collaboration between leading tennis organizations, leverages the Threat Matrix service to identify and mitigate online abuse. Key features include:
Proactive Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of social media platforms for abusive content directed at players and officials.
AI-Powered Detection: Utilizing AI technology to identify and flag potentially harmful content.
Human Oversight: A team of human experts reviews and analyzes flagged content to ensure accurate identification and appropriate action.
Law Enforcement Referral: In severe cases, the initiative refers prolific abusers to law enforcement agencies for further investigation.
Player Education: The initiative provides educational resources to players on identifying, reporting, and managing online harassment.
Impact and Future Directions:
The initiative has already demonstrated significant impact, leading to the suspension of numerous abusive accounts and the referral of 15 prolific abusers to law enforcement.
Looking ahead, the initiative will expand in 2025 to include enhanced protection against direct messaging abuse. This crucial step will further strengthen player safety and create a more positive online environment for all members of the tennis community.
Victoria Azarenka, a former WTA World No.1, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “No one should have to endure the hate that so many of us have faced through these platforms.”
Jonathan Hirshler, CEO of Signify Group, highlighted the success of the collaborative effort: “The tennis authorities have shown great leadership in driving such a comprehensive approach to protect their players.”
This initiative serves as a model for other sports and industries in combating online abuse and creating a safer and more inclusive online environment for all.
