Caroline Garcia Calls for Stricter Regulations on Unhealthy Betting and Online Abuse

Caroline Garcia revealed she experienced online abuse following her first-round loss at the U.S. Open, attributing the attacks to unhealthy betting practices. Garcia, who reached the semifinals in 2022, criticized both social media platforms and the betting industry for not doing enough to protect players. She received support from fellow athletes like Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.

Caroline Garcia, the French tennis player, disclosed she faced online abuse after her first-round exit from the U.S. Open. Garcia pointed to 'unhealthy betting' as a major cause of such targeting on social media.

Garcia, who was a semifinalist at Flushing Meadows in 2022, suffered a 6-1 6-4 defeat to unseeded Mexican Renata Zarazua on Tuesday. She shared examples of the vitriolic messages she and her family received on social platforms, criticizing these platforms for failing to filter abuse effectively.

'Social media platforms don't prevent it, despite AI being in a very advanced position,' Garcia wrote on Instagram. She also urged the sports industry to reconsider its partnerships with betting companies. Garcia's stance garnered support from fellow players, including world number one Iga Swiatek and defending U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, who echoed concerns about the mental impact of such abuse.

(With inputs from agencies.)