Jodie Burrage was subjected to death threats and online abuse after losing her first WTA Tour singles match in 16 months.

The 27-year-old Briton, ranked 474th in the world, exited in the first round of the Chennai Open when India’s Vaishnavi Adkar recovered from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

As reported by BBC Sport on Tuesday, Burrage later posted an Instagram story showing a stream of direct messages that included abuse and death threats.

She added the comment: “Nice welcome back to tour. I remember why I left.”

German player Eva Lys publicly supported her, tagging the WTA and asking: “When will something be done?”

Burrage’s previous WTA main-draw singles appearance, outside of qualifying, was a first-round defeat at Wimbledon in July 2025.

The incident forms part of a larger problem. Female tennis players received more than 12,000 abusive social-media posts and messages last year, according to Signify Group data, with similar numbers recorded in 2025.

Angry gamblers were behind 42% of verified abuse and 59% of serious abuse cases that year.

Britain’s Katie Boulter has previously spoken about receiving death threats.

Players have called for identity verification on social-media platforms, while the WTA player board has described the abuse as unacceptable and potentially significant in its impact.

Source: punchng.com

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Man United coach, Michael Carrick, has insisted he felt no personal relief after Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over Roma, saying his only emotion was pride in a group of players who care deeply.

United fought back from behind at Old Trafford to end a long winless run, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in a frantic late spell before being sent off, and academy product Shea Lacey providing the decisive assists after coming off the bench.

As reported by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, asked whether the result brought a sense of relief, Carrick was clear. “Genuinely no. I didn’t feel relief. It was more, I was genuinely pleased for the players. I know how much they care. I know what they give. It was just more seeing everybody and the feeling that we can generate when we do things right!”

The manager reserved special praise for Lacey, who entered the game with United trailing and immediately lifted the side.

“He’s got great ability. That glint in his eyes and he plays with a bit of mischief. He was desperate to do well. I was just as happy seeing him defend as a right back! He gave everyone a lift coming on the pitch. I am so happy.”

On Cunha’s all-action display, which ended in a red card, Carrick added: “I was a bit disappointed with how it finished but it just shows how much he cares and he’s willing to do when he’s in that frame of mind. When he’s in that mood, and he plays like that… that’s what we want him here.”

Cunha himself highlighted Lacey’s contribution:

“What an unbelievable pass from Shea! It’s beautiful when you have an academy player that comes and has a great impact in the game. When I saw the ball going, to be honest, I didn’t believe it, the comeback!”

The result leaves United with a much-needed boost in the Champions League.

Source: punchng.com

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while their coaches and officials got $50,000 each, completing the cash component of President Bola Tinubu’s reward package for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The National Sports Commission announced the payment in a statement on Monday, saying the Federal Government had fulfilled the President’s financial commitment to the team following their record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

The players had earlier received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja and certificates of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

The Chairman of the NSC, Shehu Dikko, thanked Tinubu for fulfilling his promise and recognising the team’s achievement.

“The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full. This means a great deal to the team and to Nigerian sports. We sincerely thank Mr President for recognising their achievement and directing that they received everything promised to them in record time,” Dikko said.

The commission said the payment followed cooperation between the NSC and the Ministries of Finance, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.

Dikko also said the fulfilment of the rewards marked a departure from previous experiences in which Nigerian athletes waited years to receive promised benefits.

“Some of our sports heroes endured years of waiting for promises to be fulfilled. President Tinubu has shown that things can be done differently.

“Our athletes can take encouragement from this and prepare to represent Nigeria with confidence that their efforts are appreciated and commitments made to them will be honoured,” he added.

The Super Falcons secured their 10th continental title in July 2025 after coming from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.

Tinubu announced the rewards at a presidential reception for the team on July 28, 2025, promising each player the naira equivalent of $100,000, while members of the technical crew were to receive $50,000 each.

He also awarded them three-bedroom apartments and the OON national honour.

The latest payment follows a similar development involving Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, whose players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each in September 2026, while officials received $50,000 each, after winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.

The team had also received three-bedroom apartment documents and OON certificates earlier in February 2026.

In December 2025, the Federal Government also presented housing title documents, confirmation of land allocations in Abuja and national honours to members of the Super Eagles following their silver-medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

PUNCH Online had reported at the time that the housing and cash rewards promised to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress were ready for collection, following the presentation of the Super Eagles’ rewards.

Source: punchng.com

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