Shelby Rogers denounces social media harassment, says she anticipates death threats after US Open loss

NEW YORK – After disappointing US Open loss to Great Britain Emma Raducanu in straight series, Shelby roger said she will now face “nine million death threats” on her social media accounts from strangers unhappy with her loss.

Talking about the spotlight she’s been in the spotlight after her massive third round victory over the world No.1 Ashleigh Barty, Rogers said she wished “social media didn’t exist.”

“Obviously we enjoy the spotlight at these times, but then you have today and I’m going to have nine million death threats and so on,” she said at the press conference for post-game. “It’s very polarizing, from one extreme to the other very quickly.”

Rogers said that while she doesn’t like social media, it’s a big part of marketing right now and there are a few things she needs to post.

“You could probably check out my profile right now – I’m probably a ‘big pig’ and words I can’t say right now,” Rogers said. “But that’s what it is. You try not to take it to heart, and that’s the unhappy side of any sport and what we do.”

She said she didn’t want to pay attention to comments from people posting about her from their parents’ basements, but it “goes to your head sometimes.”

“Social media can’t control what I do and how my training is going to go, but I wish it didn’t exist. It’s really tough.”

Former US Open champion Sloane stephens also opened up about receiving abusive and harassing Instagram posts after his third round loss to Angelique Kerber, calling it “exhausting and endless”.