Rising Czech tennis star Linda Noskova received a disturbing NSFW death threat following her first-round exit at Indian Wells. She was eliminated in straight sets, 1-6, 4-6, by New Zealand’s Lulu Sun.

The 20-year-old entered the tournament with high confidence after a strong showing in the Middle East, where she competed in the Abu Dhabi Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships.

Noskova reached the semifinals in Abu Dhabi and the quarterfinals in Dubai, defeating top players like Paula Badosa, Donna Vekic, Jessica Pegula, and Diana Shnaider. However, her hopes for a deep run in Indian Wells were cut short by Sun in the opening round.

Following her loss, Noskova took to Instagram to expose a violent threat sent by an anonymous user, identified as ‘Alvaro’ (_aiqs), who directed harmful messages toward her and her family.

“I KL YOU AND YOU FAMILY B*H!”

Noskova chose to share the message publicly, responding sarcastically with a heart emoji.

She is not the only player to face such toxicity, as many others have spoken out against this issue after experiencing similar situations. Notably, this is not the first time Noskova has received hateful messages online.

Linda Noskova faced online abuse after her semifinal loss at the Abu Dhabi Open

Noskova had previously faced similar death threats and abuse. Following her semifinal loss to Ashlyn Krueger in straight sets (2) 6-7, 6-4, she received a wave of hate messages on Instagram, which she once again chose to expose publicly.

Social media abuse in professional tennis has escalated to alarming levels, with players frequently targeted after matches—especially losses. The rise of sports betting has worsened the issue, as frustrated gamblers direct their anger at athletes.

Noskova is far from the only victim. Prominent players like Iga Swiatek, Paula Badosa, and Daria Kasatkina have all spoken out in recent years about receiving similar threats.

The incident underscores the increasingly toxic environment surrounding the sport, where fans and bettors feel entitled to certain outcomes and react aggressively when disappointed.

However, the anonymity of abusers and the limitations of social media reporting tools allow the problem to persist. Many argue that stricter regulations, such as identity verification, are necessary to curb these threats.

While the WTA and ATP have introduced policies against online harassment, little has been done to shield players from its psychological impact.

Noskova’s decision to speak out highlights the emotional toll this abuse takes on athletes. Until stronger measures are implemented, players will not only battle opponents on the court but also face the relentless aftermath of cyberbullying.

Novak Djokovic crashes to shock Indian Wells defeat – what went wrong?

Novak Djokovic expressed confidence ahead of his Indian Wells ATP Masters opener, but once on court, he struggled to find the solutions he needed, falling to a stunning defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp.

The Dutch player, who previously shocked Carlos Alcaraz with a straight-sets win at the US Open, added another massive upset to his résumé by defeating the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Van de Zandschulp had initially fallen in the second round of qualifying at Indian Wells but was granted a spot in the main draw after withdrawals due to injuries. He has certainly capitalized on his second chance in the tournament.

“I kept my cool during the whole match,” said Van de Zandschulp. “The second set was very tough, but I started really well in the third set and broke him to turn it around.

“It’s tough conditions out here and everything is struggling a bit, but I got through. Against the big guys I know I need to stay cool to have a chance.”

Gasps echoed around Indian Wells as the crowd processed what they had just witnessed—an out-of-sorts Novak Djokovic suffering yet another early exit from the tournament.

After last year’s shocking loss to Luca Nardi, this defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp was not as surprising, but the manner in which it unfolded will raise concerns for Djokovic.

With coach Andy Murray urging him on from the sidelines, Djokovic’s first-set performance was alarmingly passive, reminiscent of his inconsistent form throughout much of 2024.

Though he showed signs of resilience by battling through the second set, he faltered after an early break in the decider, managing to win just one game in the third set.

His 37 unforced errors, coupled with only 16 winners, highlighted his wayward display before a frustrated Djokovic made a swift exit from the court, left to reflect on what went wrong and what comes next.

Djokovic has expressed his intention to compete at the Miami Open this year, but a defeat like this could prompt him to reconsider. He may now opt to take a break and refocus ahead of the clay court season, which begins in Monte Carlo next month.

Beyond this setback, there are broader concerns for the Serbian star. As he nears his 38th birthday, speculation about his future in the sport is bound to resurface once again.

“Yeah, hard to appreciate anything now, really. I’m disappointed that I lost, but I guess, you know, if you put things in that larger perspective, of course l’ve had an incredible career,” said a downbeat Djokovic.

“Being consistent for so many years, obviously you have high expectations of yourself.

“You know, things are different obviously for me the last couple of years. I’ve been struggling to play on the desired level.

“Every now and then, I have couple good tournaments, but, you know, mostly it’s really a challenge. It’s a struggle for me. So it is what it is.

“You know, I guess nothing can prepare you for that moment, in a sense. You have to experience it and try to deal with it in the best possible way.”

While Van de Zandschulp played well, much of this match felt like Djokovic battling against himself. The Serbian repeatedly stretched out his shoulder, raising concerns about his physical condition as he reflects on his next steps.

Djokovic entered 2025 with ambitions of closing out his career on a high, but losses like this will test his determination to push forward against increasingly steep challenges.

The Djokovic who defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open in January remains a contender for the sport’s biggest titles. However, as losses like this one become more frequent, he may eventually face the difficult realization that his era of dominance is nearing its end.