Indian Wells Open 2021: FBI to be present on-site to check the social media abuse towards players
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Indian Wells Masters 2021
In a first, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be stationed at the upcoming Indian Wells Open 2021 in order to monitor and keep a check on the social media abuse players get during their stay at the tournament. This move comes after rising cases of abuses directed against players including racist remarks that taint the sport.
The decision to involve the law agency was announced with a memo sent to all the organisers, support team members and the players themselves. Both the ATP and WTA Tours have seen a rise in cases where direct abuses, threats and slurs are directed on the players on various social media handles during tournaments, especially during the Grand Slams.
The cases have been filed earlier as well when the players have come forward, the FBI now aims to make sure the platforms are safe for all the users and look forward to not only reduce the abuse but punish those involved in the right manner serving justice. It is a strong move from the organisers as well who have agreed to this in order to make the players’ stay in the desert peaceful.
Shelby Rogers and Cristian Garin recently spoke about the online abuses they received at the Grand Slams
During the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, Chile’s Cristian Garin became a victim of merciless trolling and abuse from social media users who even went to give him and his family death threats after he announced his decision to not participate in the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to heavy restrictions in Tokyo as Japan saw a rise in cases for Covid-19.
Novak Djokovic came in support of Garin before their 4th round clash and slammed all the people who directed abuses at Garin. “That’s the era of (the) internet. In social media, people have a platform through which they can express themselves in a good and also, unfortunately, a very bad way. It’s a serious issue we’re having, not just in sports but in general,” said Novak.
American Shelby Rogers also opened up about her getting abused and trolled despite her performance in the tournament and being body shamed. “I’m going to have nine million death threats and whatnot. At this point in my career, I’d say I’m used to it. I kind of wish social media didn’t exist.
“You could probably go through my profile right now, I’m probably a ‘fat pig’ and words that I can’t say right now. But, I mean, it is what it is. You try not to take it to heart, and it’s the unfortunate side of any sport and what we do,” said Rogers during her stay at the recently concluded 2021 US Open.
With such issues still persisting, the move by the FBI and Indian Wells organiser looks to be some respite for the players.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)