"Here are a few messages among hundreds," Bencic in turn denounces abusive messages on social media

Despite her victory in the round of 16 in Ningbo, Belinda Bencic received several insulting and threatening messages on Instagram.

Bencic had to fight extremely hard to reach the quarter-finals of the Ningbo WTA 500. Facing Yuliia Starodubtseva, the world number 14, who led in each of the three sets, ultimately had the final say against the Ukrainian qualifier (5-7, 6-4, 7-5 in 3 hours and 32 minutes).

A success that will surely leave physical marks on the 28-year-old Swiss player, but not only. Indeed, after the match, the former world number 4 player had the unpleasant surprise of receiving several insulting messages on her social media.

One internet user wrote to her: "1000 guys should rape you, b*tch," to which Bencic responded: "By the way, this comes from a person who has children," displaying the profile picture of the individual in question.

"I want to give you some advice. You don't know how to hold a racket, I advise you to take d*cks. You have a great future and nice experience as a prostitute," wrote a second person.

Here too, Bencic reacted: "I'm not used to posting this kind of thing here, but today I feel like it. Here are a few messages among hundreds." Finally, Bencic used irony with a third message: "Don't play tennis anymore, loser" with the response: "This is the nicest message I received today, thank you."

Bencic concluded in an Instagram story with the following message: "Of course, there are so many other supportive messages. Let's not forget them, especially today. Thank you to each of you, you make me want to keep going."

The Swiss player will be on the courts in Ningbo this Friday to play her quarter-final against Jasmine Paolini or Veronika Kudermetova. The two players face each other this Thursday.