Jessica Pegula is speaking out after receiving horrifying online abuse following her early exit from the 2025 French Open. The American tennis star lost to French wild-card Loïs Boisson, and while the defeat may have surprised fans, the online fallout has been even more disturbing.
Death Threats After an Upset Loss
In a series of Instagram Stories shared Wednesday, Pegula revealed she received vile messages and death threats from angry bettors who lost money on the match. One chilling message even said: “Hopefully your first born child will be a still birth.”
“These (bettors) are insane and delusional,” Pegula wrote. “I get told my family should get cancer and die from people here on a regular basis. Absolutely crazy.”
Pegula noted that she tries to limit exposure by disabling DMs and comments during tournament weeks, but toxic fans still find ways to attack her.
“Is It Just Tennis?” Pegula Calls Out the Industry
The 30-year-old also questioned why tennis players seem to receive an overwhelming amount of abuse compared to other sports.
“Does any other sport deal with this to our level? I’d love to know,” she said. “It’s so disturbing.”
She shared that threats have even come through NHL channels, prompting officials to alert her. “My response was, ‘Oh that’s it? I get those all the time,’” she added. “That is so messed up.”
Pegula, the daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula, also posted screenshots of messages mocking her background, saying she should just “enjoy being the daughter of billionaires.”
Other players like Caroline Garcia and Arthur Bouquier have previously spoken about similar threats. The issue appears widespread across the WTA and ATP Tours, especially when matches impact sports betting outcomes.
Can Social Media Policies Catch Up?
While Jessica Pegula acknowledges that most pro tennis players can’t avoid social media due to sponsorship obligations, her comments call for a much-needed reevaluation of how abuse is handled in the sport.
Her brave post isn’t just a defense of herself, it’s a wake-up call to fans, leagues, and betting platforms that threats and harassment should never be part of the game.
