NEW YORK (Reuters) - American Sloane Stephens received a torrent of angry messages on social media, including racist and sexist abuse, following her third-round loss to Angelique Kerber at the U.S. Open, the champion said on Saturday. of the 2017 tournament.
Stephens, who is black, said she received more than 2,000 abuse messages after Friday's 5-7 6-2 6-3 loss.
"It is very difficult to read messages like these, but I will post some so that you can see what it is like after a loss," he wrote in an Instagram story.
What followed was a series of racist and sexist messages directed at Stephens, 28.
"This kind of hate is so exhausting and endless," he said.
โThis isn't talked about enough, but it really sucksโฆ I'm happy to have people in my corner supporting me. I choose positive vibes over negative ones.
"I choose to show you happiness here, but it's not always smiles and roses."
Stephens, who has been ranked number three in the world, later posted messages of support she received from her team after the loss, the people she called "the only ones who matter."
"Yesterday was tough, but let me say I really like the way Sloane is progressing and where we are headed," read a message.
โFeel very confident about the next steps. Let's get ready to win Indian Wells and finish the year strong and start preparing to win majors and get back into the top 10. "
The WTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Edited by Ken Ferris)
