Tennis joins the fight

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has joined the wide-ranging social media boycott by sports organisations this weekend in a protest against online abuse.

“Tennis players, coaches and officials all over the world receive abusive messages through social media on a daily basis — and this is on the rise — referring to their race, their gender, their looks and their ability,” a statement read. “Many contain vile and even death threats.”

The boycott was started by the UK’s football leagues and has been widely supported by the likes of Uefa, the Rugby Football Union, English cricket and F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.