Gamblers Drive 42% of Tennis Abuse in 2025
A joint WTA and World Tennis report finds betting-related frustration fueled a large share of online abuse targeting players during the 2025 season.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Tennis
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The WTA and World Tennis reported that gamblers accounted for 42 per cent of verified online abuse aimed at tennis players during the 2025 season, based on a report published July 16, 2026. The findings followed a previous report that attributed 40 per cent of abuse to gamblers.
Why it matters
The report shows that abuse aimed at players is closely tied to betting frustration after disappointing results. Its findings may prompt betting operators and governing bodies to share responsibility for protecting athletes from harassment.
The analysis covered more than 1.2 million posts and comments, identifying over 12,000 abusive posts, with 3,726 classified as serious. Nine per cent of abusive accounts drove 87 per cent of high-concern incidents, and 66 per cent of serious posts were removed.
The players
WTA (Women's Tennis Association)
The WTA is the global governing body for women's professional tennis, which co-published the report on abuse aimed at players.
World Tennis
World Tennis is the organisation that co-published the report with the WTA on abuse targeting tennis players and officials.
Fanatics Sportsbook
Fanatics Sportsbook is a U.S.-based online sports betting operator that became the first betting company to adopt the Bad Actor Programme's investigative tools.
The details
Threat Matrix, an AI-powered monitoring service developed by Signify Group, was used to identify and assess abuse across major platforms during the 2025 season. Fanatics Sportsbook became the first betting operator to adopt the tools through the Bad Actor Programme, and 35 accounts linked to 12 individuals were referred to law enforcement.
Timeline
2024 season: Previous report found gamblers responsible for 40 per cent of abuse.
2025 season: Monitored period producing the 42 per cent gambler-attributed figure.
Earlier in July 2026: Fanatics Sportsbook adopted Bad Actor Programme investigative tools.
July 16, 2026: WTA and World Tennis joint report published.
Season Trajectory
The report's 42 per cent figure rises from the 40 per cent recorded in the previous season's report, suggesting gambling-linked abuse is a growing rather than receding pressure on players. The Bad Actor Programme's adoption by Fanatics Sportsbook marks the first operator-level response within this monitoring effort.
Players facing gambler-driven harassment may see more posts removed and accounts referred to authorities as monitoring tools expand. Fans who engage online are being asked to consider how betting frustration translates into abuse directed at athletes.
The takeaway
Protecting athletes from abuse is increasingly framed as a shared responsibility that extends beyond the players and platforms to the betting companies whose customers generate the harassment.
Further reading
Explore more in Tennis coverage on player welfare and the sport's governing bodies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM News) - Nigeria Breaking News, Africa and World News and Updates -.
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