British tennis star Katie Boulter has spoken out about the alarming wave of online abuse she endures, revealing that she and her family have been subjected to severe harassment, including death threats and explicit content. The 28-year-old athlete, currently ranked British No. 2, opened up during an interview with the BBC, shedding light on the disturbing messages she frequently receives on social media, especially around the time of her matches.
Boulter shared examples of threatening messages such as “Hope you get cancer” and “candles and a coffin for your entire family,” pointing to the dark side of sports fandom that emerges when fans, particularly online gamblers, lose money. One message even came in while she was playing against Carole Monnet during the first round of the 2025 French Open — a match she ended up winning.
The tennis player described the toll this kind of abuse takes on her mental well-being, saying it’s difficult to know whether such threats come from people nearby or those simply hiding behind anonymous online accounts. “It becomes more apparent every single time you go on your phone,” Boulter said. “You really don’t know if this person is on-site, if they’re nearby, or if they know where you live.”
Beyond verbal abuse, Boulter also highlighted the issue of unsolicited explicit messages. She confirmed that she has received inappropriate photos and texts and expressed deep concern for younger athletes who might also be targeted. “I’ve had quite a few of those sorts of things, [explicit images]. That’s also a larger problem,” she added.
Boulter emphasized that the abuse doesn’t only follow losses — even after victories, the toxic messages continue to flood in. She believes there is a growing need for better safeguards to protect players from online harassment, particularly younger athletes who are just starting their careers.
This troubling trend shines a light on the emotional and psychological toll professional athletes face due to the online actions of anonymous abusers. The sports community is now being urged to address these threats more seriously and create a safer environment for all players on and off the court.
