Coco Gauff slams Australian Open over broadcast of private locker-room outburst
American tennis star Coco Gauff has criticised the Australian Open over what she described as a lack of privacy after footage of her smashing a racket behind the scenes was broadcast to viewers worldwide.
The 21-year-old suffered a shock early exit from the tournament, losing in under an hour to Elina Svitolina, and vented her frustration in a rare display of anger after the match.
The incident occurred in the players’ area, away from the court, but was aired on Australian broadcaster Channel Nine’s live feed.
Gauff later expressed her displeasure during her post-match press conference, questioning why such private moments are shown on television.
“I have a thing with the broadcast,” she said. “I feel like certain moments — the same thing happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after I played her in the US Open final — don’t need to be broadcast.
“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera, because I don’t like breaking rackets. I broke one at the French Open and said I would never do it again on court because I don’t feel like that’s a good representation.
“I went somewhere where I thought 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.”
Asked whether breaking the racket helped her process the loss, Gauff admitted it allowed her to release emotion before speaking to her team.
“Yeah, definitely,” she said. “I know myself. I don’t want to lash out on my team. They’re good people, and they don’t deserve that.
“I know I’m emotional. I just took a minute to let it out. 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 know I need to release that emotion — otherwise I’ll just be snappy with the people around me.”
She added that her team had done their best and did not deserve to bear the brunt of her frustration.
Gauff is widely regarded as one of the calmest figures on the WTA Tour and has carried heavy expectations since her teenage breakthrough. She won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open at just 19, cementing her status as a leading figure in American tennis.
