Britain's Jodie Burrage faced vile online abuse, including death threats, after losing her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months.
Jodie Burrage's long-awaited return to the WTA Tour has been overshadowed by a wave of vile online abuse. The British player was sent death threats on social media after losing her first tour-level singles match proper in 16 months.
For any athlete, coming back after more than a year away is a huge moment. It means months of rehab, plenty of doubt and a long climb back to match sharpness. Instead of being met with support for finally getting back on court, Burrage found her inbox flooded with hostile messages.
It is an ugly reminder of a problem that keeps growing in tennis. Players at every level, from grand slam champions to those fighting for ranking points, are increasingly targeted by anonymous accounts whenever a result goes against someone's expectations or wallet. Threats of violence are not criticism. They are abuse, plain and simple.
The focus should be on a player rebuilding her career after a tough spell out of the game. Burrage's loss will fade, but the messages she received say a lot about the pressure and hostility athletes face online. The sport's governing bodies and social platforms will be under pressure to show they are doing more to protect those who step onto the court.
