ATP Safe Sport with Sportradar blocked more than 234,000 abusive comments

The ATP’s player protection programme analysed more than 3.7 million comments across social media channels over the past year, removing more than 82% of identified abusive messages in real time.

Artificial Intelligence to Combat Online Abuse

The ATP Safe Sport programme prevented more than 234,000 abusive comments from reaching players and fans across ATP and player social media channels over the past year. The initiative aims to protect the tennis community from the growing threat of online harassment and abuse.

Launched in 2024 as part of the ATP’s broader commitment to player welfare, the programme is delivered in partnership with Tennis Data Innovations (TDI), sports technology company Sportradar, Social Protect and Arwen AI.

The initiative combines AI-powered moderation tools with specialist threat assessments, investigations and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.

During its second year, ATP Safe Sport analysed more than 3.7 million comments across ATP and player social media channels. Of these, more than 284,000 abusive comments were identified, with over 82% removed in real time before reaching players and fans.

The findings also highlight the scale of the problem: more than 85% of players who received social media engagement were subjected to abusive comments originating from more than 100,000 accounts.

Expanded Coverage and Threat Assessment

As online abuse continues to grow across sport, ATP Safe Sport has expanded its reach and protective capabilities. Following the introduction of Social Protect, moderation services became available to men’s tennis players across all ATP rankings.

The programme has also expanded platform coverage, introduced automated threat alerts and launched a dedicated mobile application.

Beyond content moderation, the initiative strengthened its preventive measures. More than 1,800 comments were escalated for specialist assessment, while 690 automated threat alerts were generated. Each alert was reviewed by trained investigators to assess potential risks to players and determine whether further action was necessary.

Cooperation with Authorities and Player Support

ATP Safe Sport also continued its efforts to identify those responsible for online abuse. During the past year, cases were referred to local, national and international law enforcement agencies, prosecutorial bodies and government authorities.

This approach aims to complement content removal with measures that enable investigations and help hold perpetrators accountable.

At the same time, an increasing number of cases were brought directly to the programme by players and their representatives, allowing ATP Safe Sport to provide tailored safeguarding and investigative support.

Andrew Azzopardi, ATP Director of Safeguarding, highlighted the programme’s impact, stating: “Player welfare sits at the heart of the ATP’s safeguarding work. Preventing more than 234,000 abusive comments from reaching players and fans demonstrates the tangible impact the programme is having every day. Online abuse has no place in tennis. We will keep investing in the technology, expertise and partnerships that protect players, and we will continue working with the authorities to hold those responsible to account.”

Sportradar Highlights the Importance of Prevention

Adam Pennock, Sportradar VP of Integrity Services, emphasised the need to combine technology with investigative procedures to address the issue.

“The scale of abuse identified during the past year underlines why proactive safeguarding measures are essential in modern sport. By combining AI-enabled moderation with specialist investigations, threat assessment and collaboration with authorities, ATP Safe Sport is helping protect players while supporting meaningful action against those responsible for online abuse.”

The ATP plans to continue expanding player support, strengthening engagement across the Tour and enhancing its safeguarding capabilities through technological innovation and collaboration with its partners.