Online abuse has sadly become an unsettling reality for tennis players today, especially in the WTA. Players often open up about the flood of hateful messages they receive after tough losses! Caroline Garcia, for instance, once shared images of four vile messages, calling it only a fraction of the “hundreds” she got after an early US Open exit to Renata Zarazua in 2004. Then there’s 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, whose distressing experience at the Dubai Open earlier this year still lingers in fans’ minds. And now, another young star, 17-year-old Russian prodigy Mirra Andreeva, has spoken out about the hatred she endured at just 14.

Andreeva continued her impressive run at the Madrid Open, reaching the last 16 for the third consecutive year with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Magdalena Frech on Saturday. The World No. 7 has never fallen before the 4th round in Madrid, having made her breakthrough as a wild card in 2023 and reaching her first WTA 1000 QF there last year. 

However, as her latest campaign progresses, Andreeva has revealed a chilling story about the dark side of fame in tennis, highlighting the intense online hate young players often endure as they rise through the ranks.

Speaking on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Andreeva opened up about the harsh realities of online abuse after losing a match. When asked how she dealt with the backlash following defeats, she shared, “I remember one when I was 14 years old. I played one of my first ITF tournaments, and I lost in the first round, having three match points. And so I lost the second set, and I lost in the third one. And because I didn’t have a lot of experience, you know, I go, I felt so, you know, so sad. And I wanted to feel pity about myself, you know, like, oh no, I lost, it’s okay. And I went to social media and I started to read the messages that people sent me.”

She went on to recall how the heartbreak of losing at such a young age was overshadowed by the cruelty she encountered online. “And I remember there was one that I still remember. And I remember how terrified I was. I was in the hotel room, you know, I was sitting with my mom, she was, you know, hugging me and saying, it’s okay, it’s okay. You know, the next one is yours. You know, you got it. And then I see the comment.”

Mirra then revealed the shocking and terrifying threat she received, something no 14-year-old should ever have to endure. “So the guy writes, you are never going to play tennis, you know, look around your back because I’m going to find you and I’m going to cut your arms. I’m like, you know, and I start, you know, I start crying, I start to have a kind of a panic attack,” Mirra continued!

The issue of online abuse in tennis is nothing new. According to data collected by the ITF, WTA, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and the USTA, around 12,000 abusive online posts and comments targeting athletes and officials were recorded between January 2024 and October 2024. These alarming figures, monitored through the innovative Threat Matrix service, highlight the urgent need for governing bodies to address gambling-related harassment and online threats.

While Andreeva bravely spoke about the hatred she faced, she also made a deeply honest life admission as she approaches her 18th birthday, revealing her vulnerability beyond the court.

“I feel a bit more confident,” Mirra Andreeva makes a candid life revelation as she approaches her birthday

Mirra Andreeva, who made waves this season with two back-to-back WTA 1000 titles at just 17, will turn 18 on Tuesday. Despite the milestone, she still sees herself as a kid, though she acknowledges significant growth in both her game and personal development over the past year. With such a remarkable start to her career, her early success has drawn comparisons to Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova, setting high expectations for her future.

Speaking to the Tennis Channel recently, Andreeva said, “I don’t want to be responsible for myself. I think that Mirra 12 months ago was still surprised with how she plays on the court. She was also surprised with beating top players. But I think Mirra that is here today she can rely more on herself. She trusts herself more on the court. She knows what to expect from herself when she plays the match. I feel a bit more confident but it’s not self-confidence. I’m more confident in my tennis. I’m happy you can see a bit of a difference and that I’m improving.”

Andreeva’s progression continues in the Madrid Open. She will now face Yulia Starodubtseva of Ukraine in the Round of 16. Can she make it to another quarterfinal? Share your thoughts in the comments below.