While the total volume of abuse remained steady compared to the previous year, 3,726 incidents were classified as serious. Governing bodies are now pushing for the gambling industry to implement stricter investigative tools to curb harassment, as nearly 60 per cent of the most severe abuse is linked to sports betting.
The Data Behind Online Harassment in Professional Tennis
The Threat Matrix service, which utilizes AI-led monitoring supported by human analysts, tracks abuse across platforms including X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook. Findings show that while the number of identified abusive accounts increased from 39 to 68, the recidivism rate for offenders is low. Data indicates that 89 per cent of individuals responsible for serious abuse in 2024 did not reappear the following year.
According to the report, 66 per cent of serious abuse was successfully removed from platforms. Additionally, 35 accounts linked to 12 individuals were escalated to law enforcement agencies for further action.
Did you know?
Gamblers are a primary driver of online abuse in the sport. The report found that angry bettors were responsible for 42 per cent of all verified abuse and 59 per cent of the most serious incidents in 2025.
Strategies for Mitigation and Player Safety
The WTA Player Board has labeled the current levels of online abuse “unacceptable.” In a recent statement, the board emphasized that while the abuse originates from a small subset of accounts, the impact on athletes remains significant.
The sport’s governing bodies are moving toward a strategy of collective action. This involves not only working with social media platforms to identify and remove perpetrators but also pressuring the gambling industry to adopt proactive investigative technologies. The goal is to identify those responsible for harassment linked to betting outcomes and hold them accountable through legal and administrative channels.
Collaborative Industry Accountability
The push for change relies on a multi-stakeholder approach. Governing bodies have stated that further progress requires active participation from:
- Social Media Companies: Faster removal of flagged content and stricter account moderation.
- Law Enforcement: Investigating the most severe, criminal-level threats against athletes.
- The Gambling Industry: Deploying investigative tools to identify users engaging in abusive behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Threat Matrix service?
The Threat Matrix service is an AI-led monitoring tool, supported by human analysts, that tracks and categorizes online abuse directed at professional tennis players across major social media platforms.
What percentage of serious abuse is linked to gambling?
According to the latest report, 59 per cent of the most serious abuse directed at tennis players is attributed to individuals involved in sports gambling.
Are abusive accounts recurring?
The data suggests that the majority of offenders do not return; 89 per cent of those responsible for serious abuse in 2024 did not reappear in the following year’s data set.
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