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Star slams lack of player privacy after epic meltdown aired
SEN • January 28th, 2026 9:59 am
Coco Gauff has taken aim at the Australian Open’s apparent lack of player privacy after vision of her smashing a racquet in frustration was broadcast to the world.
Gauff, who was demolished in straight sets by Elina Svitolina in their quarter final clash, was courteous as she left the court, preferring to instead vent her frustrations in private.
But at the slam, there are cameras everywhere with the exception of the player locker room.
The young American said she was not comfortable with the fact the vision had been shared because she had chosen to take her frustrations out in private in order for her young fans not to see.
“Yeah, definitely. I think for me, I know myself. I don’t want to lash out on my team,” Gauff said.
“They’re good people. They don’t deserve that. I know I’m emotional. I just took the minute to go and do that. I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
“I don’t try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that. But I do know I need to let out that emotion … otherwise I’m just gonna be snappy with the people around me.
“I don’t want to do that. Like I said they don’t deserve it. They did their best. I did mine. Just need to let the frustration out.
“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera because I don’t necessarily like breaking racquets. Round of 16 of French Open, I think, I said I would never do it again on court because I don’t feel like that’s a good representation.
“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments -- the same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in final of US Open. I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.
“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did.
“Maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room.”
