Criticism is a natural side-effect of being under the spotlight. However, what Caroline Garcia has experienced is the worst side of it. The French WTA star just suffered a heartbreaking loss to 92nd seed Renata Zarazua in the first round of the US Open. Following that, Garcia posted a few pictures of hate messages that she had received on social media, condemning the fact that such users don’t always face actions. And supporting the Frenchwoman’s viewpoints are Paula Badosa and Jessica Pegula.

“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. But still, this is not ok,” part of Garcia’s message read.

It’s been a difficult year for the former World No. 4 as she struggles to gain consistency. And losing in the first round at the US Open doesn’t help. However, what must have compounded her disappointment was the barrage of hate messages she received after her defeat.

“Social media platforms don’t prevent it, despite AI being in a very advanced position. Tournaments and the sport keeps partnering with betting companies, which keep attracting new people to unhealthy betting…Also, if someone decided to say this thing to me in public, he could have legal issues. So why online we are free to do anything? Shouldn’t we reconsider anonymity online?” Garcia’s message further read.

“I know those who write these terrible messages won’t change because of this. But 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,” the French player concluded.

Paula Badosa reposted Garcia’s X post with a simple clap emoji. The Spaniard is no stranger to online hate. Back when she was World No. 2, she understood what it truly meant to be at the top in all its force, as she said afterward, “I was younger and I couldn’t understand that because I was, like, why all of a sudden people are judging me, why all this? I was taking it personally.”

Jessica Pegula also reacted to Garcia’s post and her response was worth considering, as she wrote, “Yep. The constant death threats and family threats are normal now. Win or lose.” With social media making it easier for people to access the personal lives of anyone and everyone, the privacy of celebrities has taken a hit.

Pegula often faces comments about nepotism from online detractors, because of her billionaire family. In the Netflix documentary BreakPoint, she opened up about it.

‘That didn’t happen until I was 17 or 18’ – Jessica Pegula talked about her wealthy family

Pegula’s father owns an NFL team (Buffalo Bills) and an NHL team (Buffalo Sabres), apart from having an oil and gas business. His current net worth is close to $7 billion. According to Pegula though, while her parents gave her a good childhood, it wasn’t as easy for her to rise through the ranks in tennis as some people might believe.

Pegula is considered the ‘richest’ tennis player by many. Talking about it in the Netflix documentary, the American star said, “Some people get this image that it’s really easy for me because my dad is very wealthy but that didn’t happen until I was 17 or 18.”

It’s indeed tough for celebrities to deal with exposure in this day and age of social media, with a lot of information out in the public domain. While some deal with it better than others, it doesn’t take away from the fact that trolling and hate comments do take a toll on those who are at the receiving end. It should be condemned in no uncertain terms. What do you think?