"The way betting is being integrated into sports media is ridiculous"- Tennis fans slam betting sites after Joao Sousa shares abuses and death threats

Tennis fans have slammed betting companies after Joao Sousa revealed he has received abuse and death threats from bookies over his performances.

Sousa is currently competing in a Challenger event in Girona and bowed out in the second round of the singles tournament, losing 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to Argentina's Mariano Navone.

The 34-year-old shared some of the abuse he received on his Instagram Stories. These included homophobic slurs, verbal abuse and death threats.

Joao Sousa's Instagram story

I would like to expose a reality that many are unaware of, but unfortunately, us tennis professionals have to deal with it EVERY WEEK. There have been several of my colleagues in profession who have exposed this issue and the vast majority of us have learned to cope with it. However, this time, I join them. I'm tired of receiving messages from bookes with threats, insults, teasing and little knowledge of what one must do and sacrifice to be a professional tennis player," Sousa wrote.

"Unfortunately, the betting world, which has all my respect, has brought that less good side and these people forget that the target of these messages, besides being tennis professionals, above all, we are HUMAN! Humans with feelings, emotions, less good days than everyone else, who deal with our own problems, and most of all, try our best everyday despite win or defeat. I don't ask you to follow or like me, I simply demand respect, thank you," he added.

Several tennis fans took to Twitter to criticize betting websites, with one claiming that even the commentators were betting on air during a recent match. The fan also lamented how betting was being integrated into sports media.

"The commentators were literally betting on air and keeping track of their winnings the other day. The way its being integrated into sports media is ridiculous, no reason why commentators should even be talking about "fanduel odds"," their tweet read.

Another fan was flabbergasted at how often betting apps are promoted and called for it to end.

"There's no way that we as a society keep letting this happen. And that we keep promoting betting apps this much. There's just no way," they wrote.

One fan put forth the need to ban betting ads and felt players needed to make a stand against people who threaten them online.

"This is why I hate when tennis accounts mention the betting odds. People who bet on tennis tend to have gambling issues & all players get these messages. No they shouldn't have to come off social media because these people can't control their addiction & players should make a stand against these kind of people. Although the majority of threats are baseless that doesn't stop players feeling bad because of it all. Betting adverts at tennis don't help at all & should be banned. Imagine doing your job & being threatened," their tweet read.

Here are some more fan reactions to Joao Sousa's revelations:

Joao Sousa is scheduled to compete at the Estoril Open

Joao Sousa in action at the Gijon Open

Joao Sousa is currently competing in the Girona Challenger men's doubles tournament, where his partner is Francisco Cabral. The pair will take on Sanjar Fayziev and Markos Kalovelonis in the quarterfinals.

Sousa is next scheduled to compete at the Estoril Open, having received a wildcard for the tournament's main draw. The 34-year-old has won just two out of eight main-draw matches this season, with his best performance being a quarterfinal run at the Cordoba Open.