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Burrage receives support after online death threats
Jodie Burrage has received support from WTA staff in Chennai after online users sent her death threats following her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months. The WTA says protecting players from online abuse is a priority, while an advocacy group argues more needs to be done across sport.
Burrage, 27, lost 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to India’s Vaishnavi Adkar on Tuesday, then won a doubles match with Robin Montgomery the next day. The WTA’s Threat Matrix system, launched in 2023, uses AI-assisted detection to investigate abuse and can refer serious cases to law enforcement; it recorded more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages targeting female players last year. Data cited by the WTA found gamblers were behind 42% of verified abuse in 2025 and 59% of serious cases.
In short
- Jodie Burrage received death threats after her return to singles competition.
- WTA staff in Chennai are providing support.
- The WTA recorded over 12,000 abusive messages targeting women players last year.