Tennis-Racist abuse of players is getting worse, says Stephens

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 29, 2023 Sloane Stephens of the U.S. reacts during her first round match against Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

PARIS (Reuters) -Racist behaviour directed at athletes is getting worse and even software designed to protect them from it has little impact, world number 30 Sloane Stephens said on Monday.

The American, speaking after her straight-sets victory over Karolina Pliskova in the French Open first round, said she had had to endure it her whole tennis career.