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Sloane Stephens reveals disgusting fallout from US Open loss

Sloane Stephens revealed the horrific extent of the social media abuse she copped after her third round loss at the US Open.
American star Sloane Stephens shared horrible abusive messages she had received in Instagram in the wake of her third round US Open loss to Angelique Kerber. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

US tennis star Sloane Stephens has taken to her Instagram page to share several disgusting abusive messages she was sent following her third round loss at the US Open.

The 28-year-old fell to Angelique Kerber 5-7 6-2 6-3 last Friday, which she says prompted a terrible deluge of more than 2000 messages.

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The 2017 US Open champion said she was shocked by the nature and volume of the abuse, which frequently crossed into outright racism over the result of a tennis match.

Stephens shared some examples of the messages she was sent, which largely came from anonymous accounts on the social media platform.

She said it was 'exhausting' to have to see so much vitriol on a regular basis.

"It's so hard to read messages like these, but I'll post a few so you guys can see what it's like after a loss," she wrote in an Instagram story.

"This type of hate is so exhausting and never ending.

"This isn't talked about enough, but it really freaking sucks... I'm happy to have people in my corner who support me. I'm choosing positive vibes over negative ones.

"I choose to show you guys happiness on here, but it's not always smiles and roses."

Some of the messages she then shared included racial slurs, threats of physical and sexual abuse and more.

Stephens, who has been ranked as high as world No.3, then posted supportive messages she had received from her team after the loss.

Defending champ Naomi Osaka dumped from US Open

Two-time champion Naomi Osaka is out of the US Open after suffering a stunning defeat in the third round to teenager Leylah Fernandez.

The 18-year-old Canadian won 5-7 7-6 (6-2) 6-4 to end Osaka's title defence on Friday.

Up a set and 6-5, Osaka had the chance to close out the third-round contest before the four-time major champion suffered an epic meltdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where fans booed the titleholder.

Osaka, who is in the spotlight amid her mental health concerns after withdrawing from the French Open and skipping Wimbledon, threw her racquet three times in the unsuccessful second-set tie-break.

The Japanese star received a warning after hitting a ball into the crowd in the final set and while she tried to dig herself out of a hole, Fernandez completed the boilover in New York.

There were no breaks of serve through nine games - Osaka serving to stay in the set at 5-4 and did so easily before flicking the switch.

Former world No.1 Osaka broke to love in the very next game, reeling off nine successive points to take the opening set.

It appeared as though the second set would go down the same path as the first after Osaka broke for a 6-5 lead.

Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the US Open by Canada's Leylah Fernandez in a stunning boilover. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the US Open by Canada's Leylah Fernandez in a stunning boilover. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP via Getty Images)

But Osaka imploded on centre court after failing to serve out the match, she lost her composure in the tie-break, throwing her racquet on numerous occasions as Fernandez forced a deciding set with ease.

Osaka immediately left the court and emerged with a towel over her head before the start of the final set, however, she still looked off her game and was broken in the opener.

Continuing to struggle, Osaka was then given a warning for hitting the ball into the crowd, though she boosted her confidence by holding serve and avoiding falling 3-0 behind.

But Fernandez's sole break point was all she needed, sending the defending champion home to the delight of the crowd.

With AAP

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