French Open Offers Players Protection against Online Harassment

FILE - A sunset over the Philippe Chatrier courts during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Monday, June 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
FILE - A sunset over the Philippe Chatrier courts during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Monday, June 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
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French Open Offers Players Protection against Online Harassment

FILE - A sunset over the Philippe Chatrier courts during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Monday, June 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
FILE - A sunset over the Philippe Chatrier courts during the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, Monday, June 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

French Open organizers are giving all players access to an online tool meant to protect them from cyberbullying and harassment on social media.
The French tennis federation said Monday the technology developed by a French company will be made available to all players taking part in this year's clay-court Grand Slam tournament. The software uses artificial intelligence to filter comments posted to social media accounts and block those that are deemed toxic or abusive, The Associated Press reported.
It said 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.
Players and tennis officials can opt to connect their social networks to the technology, developed by the Bodyguard.ai company, before the tournament and keep it in place for at least one week after it ends. Play in the main draw begins May 28 at Roland Garros.
“This way, they won’t receive any derogatory comments,” the French federation said. “It is an AI that performs moderation in real time. The comment is analyzed in less than 200 milliseconds. A team of linguists creates word structures to update the technology in real time from what is posted on social networks to generate a contextual analysis. The goal is to ensure that nothing is missed, while making sure that nothing is censored.”
The different platforms monitored are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and Discord.
“The mental health of players is a priority issue for the French Open," French federation director Caroline Flaissier said. “There is no place for any form of violence in our tournament.”



Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
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Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA

French coach Hervé Renard has confirmed the Saudi national football team's readiness to compete in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait, from 21 December 2024 to 3 January 2025, and stressed that the team aims to achieve great results, rather than merely gain experience.
Renard also said the tournament is a valuable opportunity to enhance the players' technical and physical capabilities, SPA reported.
Speaking at a press conference, Renard said: "We are here to participate effectively and win. This tournament provides a great platform to work with the players and prepare them for future competitions."
Regarding the team's condition, Renard said that player Hassan Tambakti is ready for action, while Salem Al-Dawsari is "working on regaining full fitness".

He commended Al-Dawsari for his dedication to speeding up his recovery. Meanwhile, Firas Al-Brikan is dealing with an injury, and his availability will depend on further evaluations, said Renard.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Renard said: "I accepted this challenge because I believe in the players' capabilities. We must work with team spirit and focus on improvement in the coming period."
As far as the team's opening match against Bahrain is concerned, Renard said: "We are preparing for a tough game. The preparation period was crucial, and our focus now is on delivering a strong performance."
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday in what promises to be an exciting start to their Gulf Cup matches. Both teams are eager to make a strong impression in their opening match.