Amanda Anisimova has given her verdict on the incident that took place after Coco Gauff’s Australian Open exit.
Gauff was thrashed by Elina Svitolina in her Australian Open quarterfinal, but it was actually something that happened after the match which was the biggest talking point.
Behind the scenes of the Rod Laver Arena, Gauff was spotted smashing her racket by a camera in that area of the stadium.
Gauff has since called for more privacy, which has created a big debate that her compatriot Amanda Anisimova has now weighed in on.
Amanda Anisimova gives her opinion on Coco Gauff’s calls for more privacy
Players including Novak Djokovic have reacted to Gauff’s comments, and now Anisimova has given her say on the situation.
Following her defeat to Jessica Pegula in the Australian Open quarterfinals, Anisimova was asked about Gauff’s comments in her post-match press conference.
Anisimova described the video posted of Gauff as ‘tough’, as she explained that she was aware of the camera and tried to keep her head down.
“Yeah, I mean, you kind of know after a few days or four or five days that obviously you see on the internet after just you walking around,” said Anisimova. “I knew that that was there, so I just kept my head down and went to the locker room.
“Yeah, I don’t know, there are good moments, obviously that people see, and that’s fun. Then, you know, when you lose, there are probably not-so-good moments. Yeah, I think the fact that the video of Coco that was posted, you know, it’s tough, because she didn’t have a say in that.
“But, yeah, I think this deep down into the tournament, I knew that I didn’t have much privacy, so I just went to the locker room, and I knew that I was able to just be there, so…”
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
Iga Swiatek suggests tennis players are treated like ‘animals in the zoo’
Iga Swiatek, who lost to Elena Rybakina in her Australian Open quarterfinal, was also asked about the situation.
The world number two did not hold back in her response, with Swiatek calling out the way that players are treated at some tournaments.
“Yeah, the question is, are we tennis players, or are we, like, animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know?” questioned Swiatek in her press conference.
“Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy. It would be nice also to, I don’t know, have your own process and not always be, like, observed.
“Like, for example, I don’t know, in other sports you have some maybe technical things that you want to do, and you have — I don’t know, honestly. I don’t follow other sports that much, but I guess it would be nice to have some space where you can do that without the whole world watching.
“You know, like, I don’t know, on Wimbledon there are courts like Aorangi, like people with accreditation can get there, but it’s without the fans. On Roland Garros there’s Jean-Bouin. There are some spaces that you can at least go when you need to, but there are some tournaments where it’s impossible and you are constantly observed, if not by the fans who can just buy some ground passes and go to your practice, then by the cameras.
“For sure it’s not simple. I don’t think it should be like that, because we’re tennis players. We’re meant to be watched on the court, you know, and in the press. That’s our job. It’s not our job, like, be a meme when you forget your accreditation.”
“Oh, it’s funny, yeah, for sure. People have something to talk about, but for us I don’t think it’s necessary. Yeah.”
Who is going to win the women’s Australian Open title?
Gauff, Anisimova and Swiatek are now out of the Australian Open, but the cameras are set to remain at the tournament.
The women’s singles draw at the Australian Open is now down to four players, with Aryna Sabalenka, Svitolina, Rybakina and Pegula the remaining players competing for the title.
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