Wimbledon 2019: Heather Watson says she has faced racist abuse 'throughout whole career'

British number two Heather Watson says she has been the target of racist abuse throughout her career.

The 27-year-old, who reached the Wimbledon second round on Monday with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 victory over qualifier Caty McNally, said someone had been arrested last week for online abuse of players.

"It's actually sad to say, but it's pretty normal," she told a news conference.

She added: "I've had it throughout my whole career, I think. All the players get abuse online, which the WTA [international governing body of women's tennis] are really good with and help us with all of that, investigating it all.

"Somebody got arrested. Not everyone is going to get arrested, are they?

"I'm glad there's stuff being done, showing that you can't get away with that, because it's just hate. Nobody wants that."

Watson, who won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2016, plays Estonian 20th seed Anett Kontaveit for a place in the third round of the singles.

Source: BBC News

Powered by NewsAPI.org

Keywords:

The Championships, Wimbledon • Heather Watson • United Kingdom • Heather Watson • The Championships, Wimbledon • Women's Tennis Association • Tennis • Heather Watson • Types of tennis match • The Championships, Wimbledon • Estonia • Anett Kontaveit • Types of tennis match •