On Wednesday, July 16, French tennis player Loïs Boisson faced a deluge of hateful comments on social media following her victory in the Hamburg tournament, which secured her a place in the quarterfinals. Some users attacked her for struggling to defeat a lower-ranked opponent.
The incident highlights a dark side to the spotlight that has followed Boisson since her breakout semifinal run at the French Open in June. While her success has brought praise and popularity, it has also exposed her to intense scrutiny and virulent online criticism.
Despite qualifying for the WTA 250 Hamburg quarterfinals, Boisson was targeted by a backlash on the social media platform X. Comments included, “How did she get so far at Roland-Garros? She plays terribly,” and “Loïs Boisson is a f***ing loser.”
The criticism mounted during her difficult, three-hour match against Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch. Boisson, ranked 63rd in the world, endured an inconsistent performance. After winning the first set and earning a match point in the second, she faltered, allowing the 163rd-ranked Korpatsch to force a third set. Boisson ultimately secured a 6-4 victory in the final set. It was during her moments of struggle that the abusive messages peaked, with users posting comments such as “This player is a catastrophe” and using misogynistic slurs.
In response, many other users rushed to Boisson’s defense. “What is with all these hateful comments about Loïs Boisson? It’s ridiculous!” one person wrote. Another added, “People are too quick to forget her semifinal at the French Open, the emotions, the performances, the incredible level.”
Boisson herself did not engage with the negativity, simply posting a photo with the caption, “Next step – quarter-final.” The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has not yet commented but typically advises players targeted by online abuse to report the incidents to its integrity department.
This is not an isolated case. Online harassment, often linked to sports betting, is a growing problem for athletes. In March, French tennis player Arthur Bouquier received death threats on Instagram from a bettor, forcing him to hire a bodyguard for his safety. That same month, biathlete Lou Jeanmonnot was targeted with abusive messages after a poor performance, to which she responded with humor on International Women’s Day.
Jean-François Diana, a researcher at the University of Lorraine, notes that individual sports like tennis are particularly vulnerable. “It’s much easier for malicious bettors or criminal networks to destabilize or influence a single tennis player than a football team,” he explained. “Tennis players are alone, young, and easy targets.” Diana describes the phenomenon as a “symptom of a brutal and alienated society,” where abusers exploit the anonymity of social media.
According to a study by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, 85% of athletes report having experienced online abuse.
