WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE

Shelby Rogers expects '9 million death threats' on social media after US Open loss

Ryan Young· Writer
Mon., September 6, 2021, 

Shelby Rogers barely had time to look at her phone after her loss at the US Open on Monday afternoon, but she knew what was on it.

Or if they weren't there yet, they were coming.

Rogers — who fell in straight sets to Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu in the fourth round of the Grand Slam — said she was facing roughly “9 million death threats” coming her way on social media from those who are mad at her from losing.

"Obviously we appreciate the spotlight in those moments, but then you have today and I'm going to have nine million death threats and whatnot," she said after her loss, via ESPN. "It's very much polarizing, one extreme to the other very quickly."

While that number may be exaggerated, the impact even one death threat has is real.

"You could probably go through my profile right now — I'm probably a 'fat pig' and words that I can't say right now," Rogers said, via ESPN. "But, it is what it is. You try not to take it to heart, and it's the unfortunate side of any sport and what we do."

Sloane Stephens speaks out about abuse

Rogers isn’t the only one speaking out about abuse on social media at the US Open.

Fellow American star and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens said she received more than 2,000 abusive comments and messages on Instagram after she fell to Angelique Kerber in the third round at the US Open.

Stephens shared examples on her Instagram story, some of which included racial slurs and threats of sexual violence.

“This type of hate is so exhausting and never-ending,” she wrote, in part. “This isn’t talked about enough, but it really freaking sucks.

“I’m happy to have people in my corner who support me. I’m choosing positive vibes over negative ones. I choose to show you guys happiness on here, but it’s not always smiles and roses.”

Rogers was very much on the same page as Stephens on Monday. Though she said she tries to ignore the comments, she said that it “does get to your head sometimes.

“Social media can’t control what I’m doing and the way my training is going to move forward, but I wish it didn’t exist,” she said, via ESPN. “It’s really tough.”

Shelby Rogers said she expects to receive death threats and abuse on social media after her loss at the US Open. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Death threats after tennis losses now the norm, players say

Steve Keating
ReutersStaff
Monday, September 6, 2021 

NEW YORK -- As if a fourth round 6-2 6-1 thrashing at the U.S. Open was not hard enough to deal with, American Shelby Rogers said that she would most likely have to contend with death threats on social media following Monday's loss to Emma Raducanu.

While death threats over a tennis match may seem shocking, several players at this year's U.S. Open have said such things are now part of sport with much of the abuse coming from gamblers hooked on online betting.

"I'm going to have nine million death threats and whatnot," said Rogers with a shrug. "At this point in my career, I'd say I'm used to it.

"I kind of wish social media didn't exist.

"You could probably go through my profile right now, I'm probably a fat pig and words that I can't say right now."

American Sloane Stephens said she received a torrent of angry messages on social media, including racist and sexist abuse, following her third round loss to Angelique Kerber.

Stephens, who is Black, said she got over 2,000 messages of abuse after Friday's 5-7 6-2 6-3 defeat, including threats of physical harm.

"It's so hard to read messages like these, but I'll post a few so you guys can see what it's like after a loss," she wrote in an Instagram story.

What followed was a series of racist and sexist messages aimed at the 28-year-old.

"This type of hate is so exhausting and never ending," she said.

The WTA Tour said in an email to Reuters that the number of players targeted for online abuse is on the rise and it is working with social media companies to find ways of curtailing the harassment.

The Tour is also working with Theseus, a risk assessment and management company, which specializes evaluation, protection and support for athletes if they encounter online harassment.

"Theseus and the WTA work with the social media platforms to shut down accounts when warranted, and if applicable, local authorities are notified," said the WTA.

"Working with Theseus allows the WTA and the players to take the most appropriate action, while enabling WTA players to safely keep their social media accounts and use them to communicate and share exciting highlights, stories and news to their fans."

Rogers acknowledged that social media interaction is encouraged as way to market the sport and connect with fans.

"It's part of marketing now, we have contracts, we have to post certain things," said Rogers. "It is what it is.

"You try not to take it to heart, and it's the unfortunate side of any sport.

"You know, just focus on the important things, not comments from people in their mom's basement.

"It's really unfortunate and some of it does get to your head sometimes."

(Reporting by Steve Keating in New York. Editing by Pritha Sarkar)