Maria Sakkari took a screenshot of her Instagram DM following her Tokyo first-round exit, and it was full of insults and disgusting messages from angry bettors.
Sakkari, who is currently ranked at No. 54 in the world, didn't make the WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo directly. Instead, the 2021 French Open semifinalist signed up for the qualifying and won two matches to clinch a main draw spot.
The former world No. 3 didn't really have much luck with her Tokyo draw since she drew Leylah Fernandez - the Canadian who won Osaka last week. And Fernandez completed a 7-6 (5) 6-4 win in their first-round clash.
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For Sakkari, losing to Fernandez wasn't the only bad thing that happened that day. She was also targeted by bettors and verbally abused on social media.
Sakkari shows the messages she received following her Tokyo loss to Fernandez
In one message, a bettor expressed their desire to see the Greek "die in agony." Another called her "garbage."
"From playing the WTA Finals to whatever it is you're doing right now. You're a disgrace, an abomination that should never exist. I hope someone does something about it and they should make it as painful as possible," one of the messages that the former world No. 3 received read.
Eva Lys, who also competed in Tokyo and made the round-of-16 before losing to Victoria Mboko, faced something similar.
