The bigger picture: Betting, social media and mental health in tennis

Katie Boulter. (Getty/Dan Istitene)

Social media has progressively infiltrated every aspect of the tennis world, shaping a new dynamic when it comes to the relationships between players, coaches and fans.

The impact of social media on the game and players is multifaceted, but there are key issues that are currently presenting problems for players. The topics of both online betting and mental health are at the forefront, which have only exploded with the meteoric rise of social media. The combination of bettors having direct access to players through social media is increasingly worrying.

So, is there a way to mitigate the effect on the game, especially the mental health of players?

Now, every player, coach and fan has access to various social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and even Snapchat. With fans able to have unfiltered and inside information about almost every detail of a player's life based on their media and social media presence, the rise of parasocial and toxic behaviour has become common, putting players and their entourage at risk.

Utilising social media aids a player and their entourage to connect with fans, as well as profit

from content with brand deals and sponsorships.

In May, Australian Omar Jasika shared harrowing screenshots of death threats he received on Instagram, with the world No.203 making the point that he relies on social media for sponsorship opportunities.

But it also allows for abusive and toxic behaviour from fans of the game. As the vast majority of players use their social media profiles through a public profile, they are subject to messages, comments, and even content daily from anyone also utilising social media. It has become common knowledge that players and even coaches and other members of a player's entourage have become victims of sickening online abuse through social media channels.

By entering the code TFS2025, you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at www.racquetworld.com.au

Many players have spoken up about this issue, as well as the effect on their mental health.

Aussie Nick Kyrgios has been vocal about this.

"It's not always easy. It's so accessible now to go on your phone, social media, Twitter, Instagram and just go to messages and comments, and you see so much negativity," Kyrgios told Nine Wide World of Sports.

"You may not take it in, but subconsciously it's still going into your brain and dealing with hecklers."

The one thing further amplifying social media abuse is betting.

Betting has become a predominant business within tennis, and can be found at all levels of the game from UTR and ITF events to WTA and ATP matches. Often, disgruntled betters take out their frustrations on players after performances. They typically use various social media channels and take their anger out on players and even their entourage.

Recently, Gaël Monfils spoke out about abuse he received via social media, which also included racism and threats against his family.

"I play with a broken leg already. So don't pray for that, but the thing is, I'm not suffering," Monfils said in a post on social media.

"Sorry. Again, I'm going to mention it, we are in 2025, and you give me the skin colour. What does my skin colour have to do with the tennis performance?

"Please also, guys, things on family, come on, leave the family alone."

Katie Boulter also highlighted the torrent of abuse hurled her way earlier this year and wanted to shed light on the issue. After an interview with BBC Sport that showed the explicit abuse, the tennis world was shocked.

"I'm past the point of worrying what people actually say to me, it's more about somehow finding a way to stop that from happening," she stated.

"My goal was to raise awareness. There's a lot of it. It's pretty hard to contain it."

This disgusting behaviour is sadly affecting most players on tour.

Last month, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) published the first-ever season-wide report outlining the scale of abuse directed at players on social media. They are calling on the gambling industry to more effectively tackle those responsible.

This first-of-its-kind report found alarming statistics regarding social media abuse, especially by betters. Signify Group's Threat Matrix service, utilising artificial intelligence and human analysts, is what has been working to minimise online abuse, as well as collect the statistics used in the report.

"During the year, 458 players were targeted with direct abuse or threat, five players received 26 per cent of the total abuse identified, while 97 prolific accounts were responsible for 23 per cent of all detected abuse," the report indicates.

"Angry gamblers sent 40 per cent of all detected abuse across the year."

The report also outlines a service available to players to report abuse, reading: "The Threat Matrix service also includes support for players who receive direct abuse, threat and inappropriate communication via DMs, email and letter.

"Players use a designated email address to share relevant content, enabling Threat Matrix to conduct threat assessment, provide direct player advice and liaise with security bodies to manage risk."

The service reported even more distressing figures surrounding bettors.

"Angry gamblers made up the vast majority of direct abuse (77 per cent) -- at a higher level compared to open-source social media (40 per cent) -- as abusers seek to cause direct emotional distress to players following lost bets," it outlines.

"Player-reported direct abuse has continued to rise in 2025 as players and agents become more aware of the support service."

Whilst the service is a support mechanism for players and entourage to try and flush out abuse as well as directly report abuse and have it investigated, is it enough? How can abuse be mitigated at the root source? Betting is the obvious source, and social media is the channel for abuse that is negatively impacting players' mental health.

The WTA and ITF report further clarified that they understand the depth and severity of the issue, whilst calling for support from different agencies to work towards better solutions.

"Given the clear evidence highlighted by Threat Matrix on the link between angry gamblers and prolific online abuse and threat, we are calling for a constructive dialogue with the gambling industry to help tackle this issue. Everyone -- betting operators, social media platforms, governing bodies, players and law enforcers -- has a responsibility to make the online space a safer and more positive one. We hope the gambling industry responds constructively to our call for more action on their part," a spokesperson for the WTA and ITF communicated in the report.

With such alarming statistics and mostly only a retaliatory response currently available, other resources and options need to become available to get to the bottom of this issue.

Possible examples of immediate action could be social media literacy and training for players at all levels of the game, including resources to not only report abuse but also access mental health support.

Another option is exploring the relationships between social media, betting companies, streaming services and other agencies that surround how people consume tennis.

With the obvious negative implications of betting, is it time to reevaluate how it impacts the game and introduce more control measures surrounding it?

Furthermore, with constantly evolving technology and services, there has to be a better way to have explicit content, harmful messages and abuse mediated before ever reaching the player.

Jessica Pegula affirmed this with a message as a member of the WTA Players' Council, stating: "Online abuse is unacceptable, and something that no player should have to endure.

"I welcome the work that the WTA and ITF are doing with Threat Matrix to identify and take action against the abusers, whose behaviour is so often linked to gambling. But it's not enough on its own. It's time for the gambling industry and social media companies to tackle the problem at its source and act to protect everyone facing these threats."

This is a developing issue, but players are being increasingly targeted, and their mental health is on the line. We need to do better to protect them and the game from abusers.

Tennis Coaches Australia, coaches supporting coaches, your voice, your network, stronger together. For all enquiries and membership details, go to tenniscoachesaustralia.au