A recent report reveals that female tennis players endured over 12,000 abusive posts and messages on social media in 2025, mirroring figures from 2024. The data, sourced from the Signify Group's threat matrix service, utilizes AI to detect such abusive content.

Despite the staggering numbers, there are signs of improvement. Notably, 66% of serious abuse was removed, and 35 accounts associated with 12 individuals were escalated to law enforcement.

In a statement, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) player board condemned the abuse as "unacceptable," acknowledging its significant impact. The report from 2024 indicated that angry gamblers were responsible for 48% of abusive posts, a figure that slightly decreased to 42% in 2025, with 59% of serious abuse attributed to them.

The WTA emphasized the importance of collective action, stating:

• The abuse stems from a relatively small number of accounts.
• The collaboration across the sport is crucial for identifying abusive behavior.
• Efforts are underway to support players and take meaningful action against perpetrators.

Katie Boulter, a player from Britain, disclosed receiving death threats in 2025, highlighting the urgent need for identity verification on social media platforms. The WTA and World Tennis reiterated the necessity of cooperation among social media companies, law enforcement, and the gambling industry to make significant strides in combating online abuse.

In contrast, the men's game has seen a new AI-driven system that successfully blocked 162,000 posts in a year, showcasing the potential for technology to combat severe abuse.