The Fr ench Open organisers are providing a method to shield all participants from offensive social media posts. The French Tennis Federation has launched a groundbreaking programme employing AI technology called Bodyguard, which blocks offensive remarks on sites including Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Tennis players have regularly brought up the horrifying messages they get after defeats, frequently from gamblers who placed bets on them.
Throughout the grand slam and for at least a week after it concludes, the technology will be utilised to safeguard all official FFT and Roland Garros social media accounts as well as those of players who choose it. Caroline Flaissier, director of the FFT, said: "The mental health of the players is a priority for the Roland Garros tournament. We will not accept any form of violence at our tournament. We are very proud to be the first grand slam tournament to offer players a solution that efficiently protects them against cyberbullying.”
The federation has stated that the tool “aims to preserve the players, their mental health, the values of sport and tennis and to banish people who come to spread their aggression and hatred on social networks. Tennis being one of the sports most affected by this scourge, athletes can thus be victims in a direct or indirect way,” the federation added.
The main draws of the Roland-Garros are set to begin on Sunday, May 28 and will go on till Sunday, June 11, when the finals will be played. Carlos Alcazar, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic are the highest-seeded Men’s players whereas Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula are the top seeds in the women’s category.
