Coco Gauff exited the Australian Open at the quarterfinal stage for the second year in a row.
After losing to Elina Svitolina in straight sets, Gauff smashed her racket backstage.
The incident took many by surprise, given the usual calm nature of the two-time Grand Slam champion.
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Frustrated that the incident was caught on camera, Gauff questioned the lack of privacy at the Australian Open.
Her fellow American, Andy Roddick, has now weighed in on the drama.
Andy Roddick calls for more camera-free zones at Grand Slams after Coco Gauff incident
During the latest episode of ‘Quick Served‘, Roddick spoke out in defence of Gauff.
“She is as buttoned up as any 21-year-old I think I have ever seen in this game,” he said.
“Even the other day, we were talking about [Mirra] Andreeva and [Iva] Jovic and [Victoria] Mboko and [Learner] Tien is 20. I’m like, Coco [Gauff] is 21!”
“It gets forgotten in every conversation.
“She is as old as these people who are just coming out now.”
Roddick then suggested that tournaments should create more camera-free zones to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“Part of me is just like, can she go somewhere where she can just detonate?” he asked.
“I am not saying remove all the cameras because I think it adds a lot of layering and texture, and it’s fun when you see Carlos [Alcaraz] come in and do a handshake with someone else and laugh and joke.
“I think it shows the players’ personalities. When [Aryna] Sabalenka is walking down, and she finds a camera, I think that’s great. It’s like a walk-in at NBA games, where it’s fun.
“But also can there be a place for people to have a private conversation, and or break something.
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“Think about it? If there is no place outside of the locker rooms to go nuts, how are you ever going to have an intense conversation with your coach if they are not the same gender at an event?”
It remains to be seen if any changes will be made, but the pressure is certainly piling up…
What have other players said about the lack of privacy?
Following her win over Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula shared her thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m not a fan of the cameras. I saw that last night, and I was, like, geez. It’s the same thing when Aryna lost the final, I was, like, can you just let the girls have like a moment to themselves?” she said.
“This year it feels even worse. I mean, I see, like, I’ll be in the gym, and there’s a video of me, like, walking into the site.
“Coco wasn’t wrong when she said the only place [without cameras] is the locker room, which is crazy. You know, you’re just kind of going about your day. To feel like someone is constantly filming you, I saw online that people were zooming in on players’ phones and stuff like that. That’s so unnecessary. I just think it’s an invasion of privacy.
“I really, really am not a fan. I’ve had the tournament tell me to take down some stuff because they own the footage and stuff like that. I’m, like, Are you serious? I post something that has to be taken down, but then you can see me in every single hallway that I’m walking in and post it online? It’s not cool.
“I think Coco was right to call it out.
“It seems to be worse here than maybe other years, so I think now it’s going to definitely be talked about and highlighted again moving forward.”
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek was also keen to comment on the issue in her latest press conference.
“Are we tennis players, or are we, like, animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know?” she asked.
“Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy.
“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, to be a meme when you forget your accreditation.
“It’s funny, yeah, for sure. People have something to talk about, but for us, I don’t think it’s necessary. Yeah.”
There’s definitely anger brewing among the biggest names in professional tennis about the lack of privacy.
Perhaps their latest comments will force the Australian Open and other tournaments into a change.
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