Tennis player Jodie Burrage receives death threats after matches
British player Jodie Burrage has spoken out about the online abuse and threats she receives following tennis matches.
Incident → evidence → outcomeJodie Burrage, a 27-year-old British tennis player, has spoken about the severe online abuse she endures, including death threats and messages promising punishment, following her matches. Burrage stated that this abuse has become so common that she no longer fears for her personal safety, describing the situation as "really quite sad".
The player detailed her experience after losing her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months, where she checked her phone to find abusive messages. Burrage explained that the abuse occurs after every match, regardless of the outcome. She shared screenshots of the messages on Instagram to highlight the everyday reality for professional players.
Gamblers linked to online abuse
A report by the WTA and World Tennis Tour, utilising data from the Signify Group's Threat Matrix service, found that "angry gamblers" were accountable for 42% of all verified online abuse detected during the 2025 tennis season. This finding contributes to concerns surrounding sponsorship deals between tournaments and gambling firms, such as the Davis Cup's official sports betting partner.
Burrage believes that social media platforms should implement stricter measures to combat online abuse. She suggested that requiring identification for every account could significantly increase user accountability and potentially reduce the volume of harmful content posted. "People should be accountable for what they say and that's where I think there could be more of a push to change," Burrage told BBC Sport.
Support services for players
All players on the WTA and World Tennis Tour have access to Threat Matrix services. This service monitors social media posts directed at players, providing an initial assessment of potential safety threats. The service can alert social media platforms and, if necessary, law enforcement agencies. It also allows for offender names to be shared with gaming companies for potential bans and can extend to moderating accounts to prevent players from seeing abusive messages.
Despite the challenges, Burrage has focused on her game, improving her singles ranking to 474 from a low of 888 in July. She is currently competing in Chennai and is building a supportive team around her, aiming for a strong performance in the 2027 season.
Questions this report answers
01What kind of online abuse has Jodie Burrage received?
Jodie Burrage has received death threats and messages promising punishment after losing tennis matches. She stated that this abuse is a regular occurrence for professional players, regardless of match outcomes.
02Who is responsible for the majority of online abuse in tennis?
According to a WTA and World Tennis Tour report, "angry gamblers" were responsible for 42% of all verified online abuse detected during the 2025 tennis season. This highlights concerns about gambling-related issues within the sport.
03What measures are in place to protect tennis players from online abuse?
Players on the WTA and World Tennis Tour have access to services like Threat Matrix, which monitors social media for threats. This service can alert platforms and authorities, and even moderate accounts to prevent players from seeing abusive content.
04What does Jodie Burrage propose to combat online abuse?
Jodie Burrage believes social media platforms should require identification for all accounts. She feels this would increase user accountability and potentially limit the amount of harmful content that is posted online.
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