Coco Gauff and Caroline Garcia address cyberbullying at US Open

Caroline Garcia highlighted the ongoing issue of cyberbullying in tennis after her first-round loss at the U.S. Open. She shared that she received numerous hateful messages, including threats and insults, particularly from individuals who gamble on matches. Garcia expressed concern for younger players who may be more vulnerable to such attacks, emphasizing that athletes are human beings who work hard and deserve kindness. Defending champion Coco Gauff echoed these sentiments, recounting her own experiences with harsh online comments. Other players, like Frances Tiafoe and Bianca Andreescu, also spoke out about the negative impact of social media on their mental health, with Andreescu noting her strategy of avoiding negative comments. Despite efforts from Grand Slam tournaments to mitigate this harassment, social media platforms have not effectively addressed the issue. Garcia concluded her message by urging people to remember the humanity of athletes and to promote kindness online, especially towards those who have faced setbacks in their careers.