Iga Swiatek makes her feelings known about gambling in tennis and how it “impacts” players

In recent years, the intersection of professional tennis and the burgeoning sports betting industry has sparked significant concerns among players, officials, and governing bodies.

One prominent voice addressing these issues is Iga Swiatek, the world number one women’s tennis player, who has openly criticized the negative impact of gambling on the sport and its athletes.

Swiatek’s stance sheds light on the broader challenges that gambling poses to tennis, including online abuse, match-fixing, and the mental well-being of players.

Iga Swiatek’s Outcry Against Online Abuse Linked to Gambling

During the Western & Southern Open in August 2023, Swiatek expressed her frustration over the escalating hate comments and criticism directed at her and her coaching team on social media.

Despite securing a comeback win against Zheng Qinwen, she faced unwarranted backlash for dropping a set during the match.

In a press conference, Swiatek called for a more positive online environment, urging the public to be considerate in their comments and to focus on the dedication and hard work of players, rather than solely on match outcomes.

She highlighted the increasing negativity on the internet, stating, “On the Internet, I feel like it’s getting worse and worse, the hate and the amount of comments that are really, like, straightforward and sometimes even a little bit mean.”

Swiatek’s concerns are not isolated. Fellow professional Ons Jabeur echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that players often receive hate messages regardless of their performance.

Jabeur speculated that much of this negativity stems from bettors who, having lost money, vent their frustrations online.

She remarked, “They have nothing to do in their life, and they are just spending money on you, and probably, what, they lost a couple of bucks on Iga losing a set.”

The Broader Issue of Online Abuse in Tennis

The rise of legal sports betting has coincided with an increase in abusive behavior toward athletes, particularly tennis players.

American player Taylor Fritz highlighted this issue, revealing that players often receive between 50 to 100 death threats after losing a match, primarily from disgruntled bettors.

Fritz lamented that while the tennis industry profits from betting, players bear the brunt of its negative consequences without sharing in the financial benefits.

He stated, “We get all the harassment from betting. We get 50 to 100 death threats after every match you lose. Awful messages, all the hate and all of the negative side of gambling, but we don’t get any of the positives. It’s