Sports · Tennis · 1 hr ago
Jodie Burrage receives death threats after WTA Tour return
Jodie Burrage received death threats and abuse online after returning to WTA Tour singles play at the Chennai Open in India.
The 27-year-old Briton lost 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to India’s Vaishnavi Adkar in the first round.
It was Burrage’s first WTA Tour singles match outside qualifying since July 2025.
The abuse followed her loss, and Burrage posted a video showing some of the messages on Instagram.
A study found that female tennis players received more than 12,000 abusive posts and messages on social media in 2025.
German player Eva Lys asked the WTA when action would be taken, but no further response or next step is given.
Jodie Burrage says she received death threats and abuse on social media after returning to WTA Tour singles play.
The 27-year-old lost in the first round of the Chennai Open to India’s Vaishnavi Adkar.
Burrage shared a video scroll of direct messages and asked when action would be taken.
Her match was her first on the WTA Tour, excluding qualifiers, since July 2025.
A report cited by BBC Sport found female tennis players received more than 12,000 abusive social media posts and messages last year.
- Who
- British tennis player Jodie Burrage received death threats and abuse.
- What
- She was targeted on social media after losing her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months.
- When
- After her Chennai Open match in November 2026.
- Where
- The match was at the Chennai Open; the abuse was sent on social media.
- Why
- The messages followed her first-round loss. The senders’ reasons are not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burrage last played a WTA Tour match, excluding qualifiers, losing to Catherine McNally at Wimbledon.
Burrage lost to Vaishnavi Adkar in the first round of the Chennai Open.
Burrage shared a video scroll of abusive direct messages on Instagram.
- Burrage’s age
- 27
- World ranking
- 474th
- Chennai Open result
- Vaishnavi Adkar won 3-6, 6-3, 7-5
- Last WTA Tour match
- July 2025, against Catherine McNally at Wimbledon
- Abusive posts and messages
- More than 12,000 directed at female tennis players in 2025
3 sources
What people are saying
Nice welcome back to tour. I remember why I left. When will something be done?
When will something be done?
unacceptable