Tennis Star Carolina Garcia Slams Online Hate Speech After Shocking US Open Loss

**apo:** Following her upset loss at the US Open, French tennis player Carolina Garcia has spoken out against the barrage of online hate speech she has received, urging critics to be mindful of their words.

Carolina Garcia, the 28th-ranked women's singles player in the world, suffered a stunning defeat to Mexico's Renata Zarazua in the first round of the US Open on Tuesday. Following the loss, Garcia took to social media to share a series of distressing messages she had received from critics.

Tennis Star Carolina Garcia Slams Online Hate Speech After Shocking US Open Loss

"This are some of the messages I received lately after loosing (sic) some matches. Just a few of them. There’s hundreds," Garcia captioned her post, which included screenshots of hateful comments calling her "a piece of s---" and "a clown belongs in the circus."

Garcia, who has openly discussed her struggles with mental health in the past, expressed concern for younger players who may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of online hate speech. "And now, being 30 years old, although they still hurt, because at the end of the day, I’m just a normal girl working really hard and trying my best, I have tools and have done work to protect myself from this hate," she wrote. "But still, this is not ok."

Tennis Star Carolina Garcia Slams Online Hate Speech After Shocking US Open Loss

Garcia highlighted the role of betting companies in exacerbating the issue, noting that the promotion of gambling in sports is attracting unhealthy betting and contributing to the rise of hateful messages. "The days of cigarette brands sponsoring sports are long gone. Yet, here we are promoting betting companies, which actively destroy the life of some people," she wrote.

The tennis star questioned the anonymity afforded to individuals online, suggesting that they should be held accountable for their hurtful comments just as they would be if they made them in person. "So why online we are free to do anything? Shouldn’t we reconsider anonymity online?" she asked.

Tennis Star Carolina Garcia Slams Online Hate Speech After Shocking US Open Loss

Despite acknowledging that the hate messages are unlikely to stop entirely, Garcia urged critics to remember that athletes are human beings who are simply trying their best. "Maybe you, next time you see a post from an athlete, singer or any other person, that has failed or lost, you will remember that she or he is also a human being, trying his best in life," she wrote.

Garcia's message has resonated with many, including fellow tennis players who have also faced online harassment. "It's really sad to see what Carolina is going through," said Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion. "No one deserves to be treated like this."

Tennis governing bodies such as the WTA and ITF have condemned the hate speech directed at Garcia and other players, promising to take action to address the issue. The ITF has established a task force to develop strategies to combat online abuse in tennis, while the WTA has implemented a policy that allows players to report hateful messages directly to the organization.

However, Garcia believes that more needs to be done to create a safer environment for athletes online. She has called for social media platforms to develop stricter guidelines and implement more effective measures to prevent and punish hate speech.

As she prepares for her doubles match at the US Open, Garcia remains hopeful that her voice will help to raise awareness about the issue of online hate speech and inspire others to be more mindful of their words. "Be kind. Give love. Enjoy life," she concluded her post.