The Australian Open has now reached its latter stages, with Aryna Sabalenka representing the first confirmed finalist.
Sabalenka beat Elina Svitolina in the semifinals in Melbourne, with the WTA number one triumphing 6-2, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena.
Just before, Svitolina knocked Coco Gauff out of the Australian Open, but the American’s actions off the court have been dominating the narrative around that shock result.
Gauff smashed her racket en route to the locker room after the defeat, which was caught on camera despite her best efforts to avoid that fate.
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
Steve Johnson calls for more privacy after Coco Gauff’s racket smash
Gauff was defiant about her racket smash, while the WTA confirmed it takes player privacy very seriously in light of the incident.
Now sharing his take on the issue, Steve Johnson said on the Nothing Major Show: “Can we talk about the Aussie Open camera system?
“They have got to get rid of the cameras in all the hallways, the gyms and everything. It’s too much. I think it’s way too much.
“Coco did the right thing going off the court and getting some frustration out. She does not want anyone to see it.
“Good for her, she does not want to do it on court because she did it once and she talked about how she does not want to be seen that way.
“But we have got to get rid of all the warm-up areas, all the hallways. You don’t need to follow players around 24/7.
“I think it’s too much for me personally, there has got to be some privacy somewhere. She is doing it in private. Good.
“Good for her to go away and do it, I never had the restraint to do it. I just feel like we have got to get rid of the cameras. The same with the Sabalenka one at the US Open.
“She has just lost, you don’t need to show her shattering a racket. Just be done with it, and turn the cameras off.”
Are you worried about Coco Gauff in 2026?
Coco Gauff racket smash should lead to more player privacy
Sabalenka was indeed involved in a similar incident in New York, obliterating her racket after losing the 2023 US Open final.
That defeat ironically came against Gauff, who admirably did her utmost to carry out her frustration away from public view in Melbourne.
Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, and it has become increasingly clear that the players deserve more privacy at tournaments, particularly when they are unaware they are being filmed.
Such moments definitely don’t need to be broadcast to the world, with the action on the court simply much more important, especially when it involves superstars like Gauff or Sabalenka.
Importantly, with the likes of tennis legends Andy Roddick and Serena Williams defending Gauff’s racket smash, a change should be forthcoming sooner rather than later.
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