A tearful Shelby Rogers discusses having to contend with social media, saying: "Social media can't control what I'm doing and the way my training is going to go moving forward, but I wish it didn't exist. It's really tough"
Tuesday 7 September 2021 15:12, UK
American Shelby Rogers said she would most likely have to contend with death threats on social media following her US Open defeat to Britain's Emma Raducanu on Monday.
Rogers' compatriot Sloane Stephens said she received a torrent of angry messages on social media, including racist and sexist abuse, following her third-round loss to Angelique Kerber at Flushing Meadows.
Stephens said she got over 2,000 messages of abuse after Friday's defeat, including threats of physical harm.
Rogers defeated world No 1 Ashleigh Barty on Saturday but it was a very different experience for the American as Raducanu sealed a 6-2 6-1 victory.
During her press conference, the world No 43 said that she would most likely have to face death threats on social media after being knocked out.
"Obviously we appreciate the spotlight in those moments, but then you have today and I'm going to have nine million death threats and whatnot. It's very much polarising, one extreme to the other very quickly," said Rogers with a shrug.
"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."
Rogers acknowledged that social media interaction is encouraged as a way to market the sport and connect with fans.
"It's part of marketing now, we have contracts, we have to post certain things," said Rogers. "It is what it is.
"You try not to take it to heart, and it's the unfortunate side of any sport.
"You know, just focus on the important things, not comments from people in their mum's basement.
"It's really unfortunate and some of it does get to your head sometimes."
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