Coco Gauff has called on tournament organisers to provide greater privacy for players following the broadcast of footage showing her smashing a racquet after her Australian Open quarter-final defeat.
The 21-year-old American suffered a heavy 6-1, 6-2 loss to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in a one-sided match that lasted just 59 minutes. Gauff struggled throughout, serving five double faults, committing 26 unforced errors and hitting only three winners.
Although the racquet smash did not occur on court, cameras captured the moment in the players’ area, with the footage later aired on television and shared on social media. Gauff said she had deliberately tried to shield her emotions from public view.
“I tried to go somewhere where there was no cameras,” she said, referencing a similar incident involving Aryna Sabalenka after the 2023 US Open final. “Certain moments don’t need to be broadcast. At this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room.”
Gauff explained that venting her frustration away from her team was preferable. “I don’t want to lash out on my team. They don’t deserve that. I need to let out that emotion,” she said, adding that she avoids such displays on court, especially in front of younger fans.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash backed Gauff’s concerns, describing the lack of private spaces for players as unfair during emotionally demanding tournaments.
“There are cameras everywhere,” Cash said. “Players need quiet areas. Outside the locker room and hotel room, there’s almost no sanctuary.”
Svitolina, the 12th seed, was ruthless in victory, converting six of seven break points to reach her first Australian Open semi-final, where she will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Despite entering the quarter-finals after two gritty three-set wins, Gauff was unable to gain momentum. Her ongoing serve issues resurfaced, with five double faults in the opening set undermining her efforts, despite recent work with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan.
Sabalenka, a two-time defending champion, continued her dominant run with a straight-sets win over teenager Iva Jovic. She has now reached 14 Grand Slam semi-finals in her last 17 major appearances and remains the favourite to reclaim the title.
