Wikimedia Commons |
"Social media has also taken its toll on me," said Marino, who was once ranked as high as no. 38 in the world. She noted that her battle with depression started before the cyberbullying, but that receiving messages such as "go die," and "go burn in hell" in social media forums contributed to her illness.
According to Marino, at least some of the threatening messages came from gamblers that had lost money betting on her in tournaments. Ultimately, she said she is no longer "willing to sacrifice [her] happiness...to play tennis."