“I would encourage people to be more thoughtful when they comment on the Internet,” Iga Swiatek said nearly two years ago, frustrated by the torrent of vitriol aimed at her and her team despite a gritty comeback against Zheng Qinwen at the Western & Southern Open. Yet the landscape has only intensified since, with “fixated behavior” on court, like toward Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu in Dubai, mirrored by relentless online attacks. Social media now plays a pivotal role in shaping tennis legacies, and after Swiatek’s recent outcry, arch-rival Aryna Sabalenka has stepped forward to address the hate comments targeting WTA stars.

Just days ago, Iga Swiatek faced the harsh realities of fandom after her R16 exit to Emma Navarro at the China Open. The 24-year-old took to Instagram the

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