“Not good at all,” Iga Swiatek addresses concerns about online betting that ‘negatively’ impacts players

Iga Swiatek feels it's difficult to stop hateful comments on the Internet after a tennis player received a death threat from a bettor.

“Not good at all,” Iga Swiatek addresses concerns about online betting that ‘negatively’ impacts players

Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

French tennis player Arthur Bouquier received a scary death threat from a gambler who bet 2000 euros on him and demanded that he win his first-round Challenger match against Florian Broska in straight sets. In the aftermath of the incident, Iga Swiatek was asked about online betting.

Bouquier revealed the message he received from the bettor on his Instagram story and tagged the governing tennis bodies, ATP, ITF, and Thionville Challenger where he is competing and is set to play compatriot Titouan Droguet in the last 16. The bettor threatened him to win the match or else, he would “track his family down” and hurt him, saying he was even ready to go into prison.

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Swiatek is gearing up to play Indian Wells; and ahead of her opening round match, she said that though players have no control over the betting business, it’s them who get affected by it. About online abuse, she said “hate is going to be out there on the Internet anyway” but pointed out that there are algorithms and apps to block it somehow.

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There’s no point to think if it’s good or bad because it’s always going to be there since it’s big business. I think, for sure, the thing that we as players feel is the negative comments and hate because people are sometimes losing money because we lose or because we win. So, this is what impacts us. For sure, I feel like it’s not positive, and not good at all.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Iga Swiatek makes feelings clear about Indian Wells surface change

The surface change at Indian Wells has become a topic of discussion amongst the players. Plexipave courts have been replaced by Laykold, the surface that’s used at the US Open, making the surface a bit faster.

Iga Swiatek (3)
Iga Swiatek (Image via X)

Daniil Medvedev called it a “disgrace to sports” while Carlos Alcaraz didn’t understand the need for the change. Aryna Sabalenka thinks faster surface helps big servers like her, while Elena Rybakina too didn’t have any complaints about it. Iga Swiatek didn’t feel much difference as she pointed out that players always have to adapt to different conditions.

We come here after a year anyway, after a year of playing on different surfaces. Everybody says it’s a bit different, but I don’t know if it’s actually in the back of our heads because everybody is talking about it. But honestly, I don’t really mind.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

Swiatek, the second seed at Indian Wells, is set to start her campaign against Caroline Garcia. The 23-year-old will be entering the tournament as the defending champion.