The Dark Side of Women's Sports: Abuse, Stalking, and Death Threats

Female athletes are facing increasing levels of abuse and harassment, both online and offline. Despite their successes on the field, many sportswomen are subjected to unsavory comments and negativity outside of their sporting arenas. Georgia Evans, a Welsh rugby player, recently spoke out about the abuse she faced after wearing bows in her hair during a match. The incident highlights the pressure athletes face to conform to certain standards of appearance and behavior. A survey by Women In Sport found that the number of girls who dream of becoming professional athletes has fallen to its lowest level since 2020, with many citing feelings of not belonging and being judged. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has also spoken out about the damaging effects of personal attacks on appearance, having experienced it herself after her 2013 Wimbledon win. The issue of online abuse has become a major concern, with many athletes receiving threatening messages and explicit pictures. The Women's Tennis Association and International Tennis Federation have reported that 458 players were direct targets of abuse in 2024, with 40% of social media abuse coming from frustrated gamblers. The physical presence of obsessive fans has also become a concern, with incidents of stalking and harassment reported by several athletes. England's Jess Carter stepped back from social media ahead of a final due to racist abuse, and a man was sentenced to six weeks in prison for sending abusive messages to her. The Online Safety Act 2023 has imposed strict duties on social media companies, but many argue that the measures do not go far enough to combat the level of abuse targeted at female athletes. Ofcom has recommended a series of measures to tech giants to tackle online abuse, including prompts to reconsider harmful messages and stopping payments for posts promoting misogynistic abuse. Meta has also introduced several measures to help protect users from online abuse, including tools to filter offensive comments and controls to limit who can comment or send messages. Despite the challenges, many sportswomen are speaking out against online hate and advocating for a shift in focus from how athletes look or behave to what they achieve. As athletes continue to push and perform under unprecedented visibility, the message is clear: success should not come at the cost of personal safety, mental wellbeing, or identity.