World number two Iga Swiatek is under increased security protection after subjected to verbal abuse from an enraged fan at the Miami Open.
The five-time major champion was targeted during a practice session on Saturday, with the man believed to have shouted personal insults about the 23-year-old’s family.
This was reportedly not an isolated incident, with her team revealing that the same man previously sent abusive messages to her on social media.
Swiatek's run in Miami ended on Wednesday night after a shock 6-2 7-5 quarter-final defeat to wildcard Alexandra Eala.
"The Miami incident appears to be a direct transition from verbal aggression online to harassment in the real world," Swiatek’s camp said via BBC Sport. "He was aggressive and taunting."
Representatives of the Polish player added that the incident was immediately reported to the tournament’s organisers, who along with the WTA are said to have reacted quickly by putting extra security measures in place around the former world number one.
"Security is a top priority,” her spokesperson added. “We monitor the network to catch these types of issues.
"Constructive criticism is one thing, and threats, hate speech or even disturbance during training is another - this cannot be condoned."
The WTA said player safety was a top priority. "There are comprehensive security protocols in place to make sure that any incidents are handled promptly and effectively.
"The details of these are not something we discuss publicly, but we are steadfast in our commitment to maintaining a safe environment for players and everyone attending one of our events."
The incident involving Swiatek comes just a month after a man showed “fixated behaviour” towards Emma Raducanu at the Dubai Tennis Championships, which left the British star in tears.
The individual was later given a restraining order against the player and has been banned from all future WTA events pending an investigation.
The latest WTA player to be involved in such an incident, Swiatek’s experience acts as a harrowing reminder of the dangers faced by female athletes in the public eye.
Nevertheless, Swiatek has not let the incident derail her push to lift the Miami Open title for the second time in her career, having not lost a set since the start of the tournament.
She has dispatched Elise Mertens and Elina Svitolina in straight sets in her two outings since the incident, setting up a quarter-final against Filipino rising star Alexandra Eala on Wednesday afternoon.
