Tennis player Jack Draper has voiced his concerns about the intense scrutiny and abuse players face from disgruntled bettors, stating that a player is often viewed as “a horrible person” regardless of match outcomes. With an 11-month season and nearly continuous matches, tennis has become increasingly appealing to gamblers. The rise of social media has amplified this issue, exposing players to a barrage of negative comments and threats.
Draper, who turned professional in 2018 and is currently ranked No. 15 in the world, recounted his first encounter with such hostility following his debut match. “In my first pro match in 2018, I won 6-0, 6-0, and I was still labeled a horrible person—people were threatening to find my mum,” he told The Guardian. “Every match, whether I win or lose, I receive hundreds of messages. If I lose now, my latest Instagram post will likely have about 100 messages filled with clown emojis and insults. It’s something we all face, and female players often endure even worse treatment.”
Draper also faced significant criticism in mid-August during the Cincinnati Masters. While serving for the match against Felix Auger-Aliassime, he had a match point but the ball appeared to hit his racket before bouncing on the Canadian’s side. The chair umpire ruled in Draper’s favor, but Auger-Aliassime contested the call. After the match, it was confirmed that the Canadian was correct, leading to a wave of backlash against Draper. He admitted that the following days were particularly challenging for him.
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