Is Andy Murray Leading the Charge to End Social Media Abuse? Here’s Why It Matters
For better or worse, social media is now a part of everyday life. Unfortunately, where athletes are concerned, it seems there’s far more bad than good these days.
Tennis is the latest sport to spotlight the issue, with several stars revealing horrific online abuse.
Katie Boulter spoke out last week about receiving vile messages, including death threats, after losing matches. ‘It becomes more apparent every single time you go on your phone,’ the British No2 said of the online hate
‘I think it increases in number and it also increases in the level of things that people say. I don’t think there’s anything off the cards now.’
Other stars have now joined her in calling for more to be done to tackle the scourge of online abuse. Fellow Brits Harriet Dart and Sonay Kartal are among those urging more action, such as the introduction of identification measures for those creating social media accounts.
Andy Murray then became the latest big name to speak on the topic, telling the BBC: ‘I think it’s positive any time anyone can speak out about it. It’s great that (Katie) talked about it.
‘Athletes across all sports have been discussing this for a long time, but it hasn’t really changed. Hopefully something can get done soon.’
The Scot also revealed he and his wife Kim will be keeping their children – aged between four and nine – away from social media as long as possible due to the dangers.
Asked what can be done to deter online abusers, he said: ‘If I’m being honest I don’t know.
‘Me and my wife are trying to keep our children off social media until they are much older, because I think it can be pretty damaging.
‘I don’t know whose responsibility it is, I don’t know if the government needs to do more to tackle it, or (X owner) Elon Musk and people like that can do more to stop these messages getting through to individuals.
‘I don’t mean just athletes, but then you get into the whole debate around free speech and it’s a difficult one.’
It’s certainly a thorny issue but it’s clear more must be done to protect athletes whose jobs are pressurised enough without vile abuse affecting them. We may never have a perfect solution, but when big names such as Murray join the conversation, seeing some real action surely becomes a more tangible possibility.
Fixtures announced as SWPL enters new era
It’s a new era in the Scottish Women’s Premier League and the hype has increased this week after the fixtures for the new season were released.
The reconstructed league will officially kick off on August 17, with a new 10-team top flight, reduced by two teams from the previous campaign. The second tier has increased by two teams, meaning both divisions now have 10 clubs.
The new look is just one of the reasons the 2025/26 campaign is so hotly anticipated. SWPL 1 is one of the most competitive leagues around, and last season saw a dramatic three-way fight for the crown. Hibs completed a remarkable run to the title on the final day, beating out Glasgow City and Rangers to become champions for the first time in 18 years.
Grant Scott’s side will begin the new season at home to Aberdeen, while Glasgow City will face Motherwell. Rangers – still on the hunt for a new manager after Jo Potter left for Crystal Palace – are away to Montrose on the opening day.
After failing to defend their title in a disappointing campaign, Celtic have been handed a tough first assignment away to Hearts, as last season’s fourth and fifth-placed teams look to get off to a good start. Newly promoted Hamilton will take on Partick Thistle, now managed by David Elliot after Brian Graham left to play for Falkirk.
