Cyber-bullies, gamblers force Vancouver's Rebecca Marino out of pro tennis

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      For the second straight year, Vancouver's Rebecca Marino is walking away from professional tennis.

      This time, however, it appears it's for good. Through Tennis Canada, the 22-year-old released a statement this morning announcing that she was done with the sport claiming 'factors that are part of our society' led her to her decision.

      Earlier this week in a piece in the New York Times, Marino spoke of the troubles she was having dealing with the spotlight that came with her rise to 38th in the WTA world rankings in July 2011. Especially troubling for her were the online attacks she says she received from gamblers following her losses.

      Marino took a hiatus from the tennis tour at this time a year ago and attempted a return after a seven-month layoff. But now she says she's leaving the sport behind. Calling it part of her growth process, Marino says she plans to speak out on the issues that led her to early retirement.

      Marino's career on-court highlights include a trip to the third round at the 2011 French Open and a memorable showdown with Venus Williams in the second round of the 2010 U.S. Open.

      Comments

      2 Comments

      DavidH

      Feb 20, 2013 at 11:30am

      A very peculiar decision. What was said about her online was stupid and ignorant, but - like a television - Twitter and Facebook have "Off" buttons.

      If you go looking for misery and ignorance, you will surely find it on the interwebs. If it damages your life and destroys your ambitions, you need to take a serious look inside ...

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      Jackie

      Feb 22, 2013 at 7:53am

      Well, I think this article was written prematurely, giving people the wrong idea about why she is stepping away. From other articles I have read, she has clearly stated it is not the cyber-bullying, nor her depression, that is causing her to step away from the game. Just a lack of passion, or desire to play.

      Also, yes, she has depression. That's a gutsy thing to talk about. So many people will say its a weakness and to suck it up. But depression is much harder than that. It's sadly being overlooked by the cyber-bullying topic, causing all the "trolls" to come out of the wood work.

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