Gauff calls for more player privacy after racquet smash

After being caught smashing a racquet by Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarter-finals, Coco Gauff demanded more privacy for players.

In a 6-1, 6-2 defeat that lasted only 59 minutes, a despondent Gauff, 21, served five double-feasances, committed 26 unforced errors, and only allowed three winners.

The American was captured by the behind-the-scenes coverage of the tournament in the players’ area, with the footage being broadcast on TV and social media. He did not attempt to smash the racquet on the court.

Gauff claimed that she had made an effort to keep her feelings a secret until she was no longer visible.

She made reference to a similar incident at the US Open in 2023, when Gauff was filmed crashing her racquet.

Gauff remarked, “I tried going somewhere without cameras.”

There are instances where Aryna experienced the same thing after I played her in the US Open final, and I don’t think it needs to be broadcast.

I believe there should be some conversation because the locker room is the only private space available for us to use up our space during this tournament.

Gauff questioned why she felt the need to smash her racquet in the aftermath, explaining, “I don’t want to lash out on my team.” That is not their duty.

“I don’t believe it to be bad.” I make an effort not to do it in front of kids or other similar situations, but I do know I need to let out that emotion.

Players need privacy during emotionally taxing matches, according to former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.

On BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, he said, “Players need to have quiet areas because there are cameras absolutely everywhere.”

A well-known tennis player only has access to their hotel room, according to the article.

“Players have to be in the locker room and their hotel room to have any sort of privacy,” the statement goes.

Gauff had won back-to-back three sets to advance to the quarter-finals, but she was unable to hold onto her position against Svitolina.

The Ukrainian 12th seed reached her first semi-final with six of her seven break point chances.

Gauff has made a concerted effort to improve her serve after using biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who previously assisted Sabalenka, in a tour-leading 431 double faults last season, which is 131 more than any other player.

After overtaking rising American star Jovic, Sabalenka, the 2023 and 2024 winner, said her attitude is “trophy or nothing.”

The 27-year-old Belarusian has reached the semi-finals of 14 of her previous 17 majors, where she has won 5-1 head-to-head against Svitolina.

After Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis, she is the only woman’s player to reach eight straight Grand Slam semi-finals, making it just the third time in the last 38 years.

Sabalenka’s winning streak to 10 matches and 20 straight sets has grown to 10 straight sets since the start of 2026 as she advances to this year’s semi-finals at Melbourne Park.

Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title on her most successful surface last year, won the first two in Melbourne and the second in Paris. She is the heavy favorite to defend her US Open title in September.

When a player enters the tournament, Sabalenka, who has won 19 of her 22 career titles on hard courts, considers themselves trophy-winners.

Sabalenka conducted her post-match interview at Rod Laver Arena, and the roof was closed.

Sabalenka, who has worked to maintain consistency on the court throughout the sport’s biggest tournaments, was described as “very inspiring.”