Elina Svitolina exposes death threats after defeat at WTA Montreal

Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian tennis player and former world number three, revealed she faced a barrage of online attacks and threats following her loss to Naomi Osaka in the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 in Montreal on August 5, 2025. With a scoreline of 6/2, 6/2, the match showcased a dominant performance by the Japanese player, but the aftermath shifted focus to digital violence. Svitolina used her social media to expose messages that included death threats, racist insults against her husband, Gael Monfils, and references to the Russia-Ukraine war. In a heartfelt statement, Svitolina emphasized her role as a mother and athlete, condemning the behavior of the aggressors, largely bettors frustrated with the result. The incident reignites the debate about the impact of sports betting on athletes’ well-being.

The Ukrainian, who has won 18 career titles, faced a flood of offensive messages on Instagram, where she shared screenshots to highlight the issue. The severity of the messages, including threats of violence and personal attacks, shocked the tennis community. Known for her resilience on and off the court, Svitolina used the platform to send a direct message to the aggressors, underscoring the shamefulness of their actions.

• Key points of the case:
• Svitolina lost to Naomi Osaka 6/2, 6/2 in Montreal.
• Bettors sent death threats and racist insults.
• The player exposed the messages on her social media.
• The case highlights the recurring issue of online abuse in sports.

The Montreal defeat ended Svitolina’s tournament run, where she had shown consistency by beating players like Amanda Anisimova and Anna Kalinskaya. Despite the loss, the focus quickly shifted to the emotional toll of the online attacks, which also targeted her family.

Svitolina’s response to the attacks

Svitolina’s response was direct and emotional. On social media, she posted: “To all bettors: I am a mother before an athlete. The way you speak to women, to mothers, is shameful. If your mothers saw your messages, they would be appalled.” The Ukrainian, mother to young Skai from her marriage to French tennis player Gael Monfils, highlighted the severity of the attacks, which included not only death threats but also racist insults against her husband and references to the war in her homeland.

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Her statement was not just a personal defense but also a call for respect for women in sports. Svitolina, who has faced challenges like a career break for maternity and the emotional impact of the war in Ukraine, used her platform to address the toxic behavior of some bettors. Her message resonated with other athletes who have reported similar experiences.

• Messages received by Svitolina:
• Death threats and threats of physical violence.
• Racist insults targeting Gael Monfils.
• Offensive references to the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Misogynistic and sexually charged comments.

Elina Svitolina exposed the abusive, hateful messages and horrific threats she received from bettors after her loss to Naomi Osaka in Montreal.

She called out the vile treatment of women and mothers in sport.

Disgraceful behavior from so-called "fans" 🤬 pic.twitter.com/PUw7NHJRAS

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) August 6, 2025

The impact of betting on tennis

Svitolina’s case sheds light on a growing issue in sports: the impact of online betting on athletes’ well-being. A recent study by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), in partnership with the WTA, revealed that about 50% of abusive comments on social media directed at players come from bettors dissatisfied with match outcomes. These attacks often go beyond performance critiques, including severe threats and discriminatory content.

French player Caroline Garcia, for instance, had previously denounced the issue after her 2024 US Open loss, pointing to “unhealthy betting” as a key driver of such behavior. Other players, like Britain’s Katie Boulter, also reported death threats during the 2025 French Open. Despite efforts by the WTA and ITF to curb the issue, such as blocking abusive accounts, a comprehensive solution remains elusive.

Svitolina, a semifinalist at Wimbledon and the US Open in the past, is not the first to face this digital violence, but her case underscores the need for more effective measures. The Ukrainian, who has used her visibility to support humanitarian causes like fundraising for Ukraine, now faces the challenge of dealing with the psychological impact of these attacks.

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Svitolina’s career history

Elina Svitolina is one of the most consistent players on the tour, with a career marked by significant achievements. Born in Odesa, Ukraine, she reached the world number three ranking in 2017 and won major titles, including the 2018 WTA Finals and the 2017 Canadian Open. Her journey, however, has also been marked by personal challenges, such as a career hiatus in 2022 to give birth to her daughter and the emotional toll of the war in her country.

In 2025, Svitolina showed signs of a comeback, reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and in Montreal, where she defeated strong opponents. Her campaign in Canada was halted by Naomi Osaka, who delivered an impeccable performance, conceding just one game against Anastasija Sevastova in the previous round. Despite the loss, Svitolina expressed satisfaction with her on-court performance but lamented that the focus shifted to the online attacks.

• Key moments in Svitolina’s career:
• Winner of the 2018 WTA Finals.
• Champion of the 2017 Canadian Open.
• Semifinalist at Wimbledon (2019, 2023) and US Open (2019).
• First Ukrainian with 100 Grand Slam wins in the Open Era.

The role of tennis organizations

The WTA and other tennis bodies have been trying to address online abuse, but results remain limited. A 2024 report by the ITF, WTA, AELTC, and USTA identified over 8,000 abusive comments targeting 458 players. Measures like social media monitoring and account suspensions have been implemented, but the scale of the problem demands broader action, including collaboration with digital platforms and betting companies.

The WTA’s lack of an official statement on Svitolina’s case drew criticism from fans and players, who demand greater protection for athletes. Svitolina, who has publicly advocated against interacting with Russian and Belarusian players due to the war, also called for sports federations to respect Ukrainian athletes’ decisions, reinforcing her role as a vocal figure in the sport.

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• Measures by tennis organizations against online abuse:
• Monitoring social media for abusive accounts.
• Blocking profiles that violate guidelines.
• Partnerships with digital platforms to filter content.
• Annual reports on the impact of online abuse.

Response from players and fans

Svitolina’s case sparked solidarity in the tennis world. Players like Caroline Wozniacki, also a mother who returned to the sport after a break, praised the Ukrainian’s courage in exposing the attacks. On social media, fans showed support, sharing messages of solidarity and calling for stronger action from sports authorities. The hashtag #StandWithSvitolina gained traction, highlighting outrage against the bettors’ behavior.

Svitolina, who has faced boos for her stance on not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents, showed resilience in standing her ground. Her statement also brought attention to the emotional pressure faced by athlete mothers, particularly in a demanding sport like tennis. She remains an inspiring figure, both for her on-court achievements and her advocacy off the court.

• Reactions to the case:
• Support from players like Caroline Wozniacki.
• Fan support via the hashtag #StandWithSvitolina.
• Criticism of the WTA’s inaction on the case.