Caroline Garcia slams social media abuse after US Open first-round loss, blames ‘unhealthy gambling’

Caroline Garcia spoke out about the abusive online messages she received after losing to unseeded Renata Zarazua on Wednesday, blaming “unhealthy gambling” among other reasons in a post on her Instagram account for the reasons she and other players are targeted by angry internet users. Garcia also criticized social media platforms, saying they don’t take enough steps to filter out abusive messages.

Criticising online behaviour driven by degenerate gambling, Garcia compared the pervasive nature of the gambling industry and its promotion by sports organisations to previous eras when tobacco companies were major advertisers at sporting events.

“Tournaments and sports continue to partner with betting companies, which continues to attract new people to unhealthy betting,” he wrote. “The days of cigarette brands sponsoring sports are long gone. Yet, here we are, promoting betting companies that are actively destroying some people’s lives.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they should be banned. But maybe we shouldn’t promote them.”

Garcia also criticized the anonymity she receives online, noting that some of the abusive messages sent to her and her family could get people in legal trouble if they said them publicly. She has received support for speaking out about her experience, including from world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys.

Despite being a US Open semifinalist two years ago, Garcia lost 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday to Zarazua, who had only reached the second round of a Grand Slam once before.