“Regrettably, numerous individuals fail to comprehend the reality of an athlete’s life.” Dealing with social media can be bothersome. Particularly when fans offer their unsolicited opinions to simply spread negativity. Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are two such players who are frequently targets of such online harassment. While the tennis stars have earned respect within the sporting community with their admirable accomplishments, an occasional setback in their momentum turns the situation into a two-sided affair. But, how do they handle such comments? Surprisingly, in contrast to Gauff, Swiatek adopts a very different approach.
On Sunday, August 11, Swiatek sat down for an exclusive interview with WP SportoweFakty. Following her Paris Olympics campaign, in which she secured a bronze medal, the Polish star was asked how she deals with a love-hate relationship with fan comments. The World No. 1 explained that it’s a mutual interaction. While some fans offer her support even when she’s at her lowest, some spread negativity even when she has achieved glory. The latest of which came after her disappointing semifinal loss at the hands of China’s Qinwen Zheng at the Olympic Games.
As an attempt to disconnect from the outside world during tournaments, Swiatek typically limits her online presence during tournaments. Her online activity is primarily limited to posting after matches. She consciously avoids reading comments during these intense periods. “I don’t feel like responding or explaining because I realize that many people support me and I wouldn’t be able to explain everything. I simply accept that such things are a part of my life.”
The Pole acknowledges a common misconception about the life of an athlete. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining emotional distance from such opinions, as they often lack understanding of the athlete’s experience. Unfortunately, she notes a tendency for people to make quick judgments. However, once a tournament concludes, she often catches up on online discussions to stay informed about public opinion. “Very often, I receive very positive messages. This was the case right after my defeat in the semifinal in Paris when messages of support from fans and friends, and even from other athletes, helped me a lot.”Exactly one year ago, the World No. 1 opened up about the toxic online environment after her hard-fought victory over Zheng at the Western & Southern Open. She expressed frustration over the relentless hate messages directed at both herself and her coaching team, despite a successful comeback win. Swiatek questioned the unrealistic expectations placed on athletes, highlighting the stark contrast between the negativity online and the positive outcome of the match.
In case you are not aware, last year, American talent Gauff took significant measures to address online harassment. Notably, the World No. 2 embarked on a social media blocking spree after witnessing a barrage of negative comments following her defeat to the Pole at the 2023 WTA Finals. Subsequently, she shared an honest admission explaining her rationale behind such extreme actions, stating,
“I only block individuals who exhibit negativity, not my supporters. When you confront the daily harassment I face on a regular basis – death threats, racism, body shaming, etc. – it becomes exhausting. Therefore, I strive to protect myself as best as I can.”
Nevertheless, Gauff remains determined not to let such comments hinder her aspirations. Despite a heartbreaking conclusion to her Olympic journey, the American is once again aiming to participate in the 2028 LA Olympics! This time, she intends to make a “full impact”!
One might assume that Gauff’s premature exit from her Olympic debut would quell her desire for a gold medal. However, the American has stepped up to refute that notion. The 20-year-old plans to register for all three categories at the 2028 edition of the Games, despite failing to secure a medal in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events in Paris this year.
She expressed, “I didn’t truly experience the full magnitude of the situation, as I lost early in singles. At that point, I hadn’t even competed in doubles yet, so if given the opportunity in 2028, I would still participate in all three events. After all, it’s four years away.”
Following an early departure from the Olympics, the reigning US Open champion has not achieved significant success on the Tour either. Gauff, who is currently out of form, was eliminated from the Canadian Open before making her mark. Now, she aims to turn her fortunes around by preparing for the Cincinnati Open and, subsequently, defending her title at the Flushing Meadows Slam.
Photo from Coco Gauff Instagram
