Coco Gauff’s post-match actions in Australia sparked controversy.
After Gauff lost to Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarterfinals, she headed backstage to blow off some steam.
There, Gauff was caught on camera smashing her racket.
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
The televised incident prompted many to question the lack of privacy players receive at the Australian Open.
Weighing in with her thoughts, Gauff’s fellow American, Danielle Collins, said the following.
Danielle Collins says tennis has a ‘huge privacy issue’ amid Coco Gauff controversy
During the latest episode of ‘The Big T Podcast‘, Collins gave her verdict on the cameras backstage.
“I think it’s a huge privacy issue,” she said.
“We have got to have some area we can go to after a match and be able to go through our thoughts and our different emotions and not feel like we are being watched every second of the day.
“I do not see any other sports right now, having the access that tennis has to the behind-the-scenes.
“I just think that it’s so unfair to the players not being able to step off the court and being able to have their time to themselves and their own privacy.”
The 32-year-old remembers breaking rackets backstage herself, and says she’s glad that wasn’t shown on TV.
“I am sure there have been other players, we have seen it with [Aryna] Sabalenka before, and I’m sure there have been many other players who have come off court and taken one of their rackets or a few of them and broken them,” said Collins.
“I have done it too!
“I am glad that none of that was televised for my own mental health.
“I can’t imagine being in that position and being under a microscope like that.”
As one of the biggest stars in the sport, Gauff’s every move is scrutinised.
But, in fairness, on this occasion, many have supported the American, agreeing with her comments about player privacy.
What exactly did Coco Gauff say about player privacy at the Australian Open?
Gauff was told that her racket smash had been televised during her post-match press conference.
“I tried to go somewhere where there were no cameras,” she said.
“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like in certain moments, the same thing happened to [Sabalenka] after I played her in the final of the US Open. I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.
Are you worried about Coco Gauff in 2026?
“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera, because I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets, but I lost 6-1, 6-2. I broke one racket in the quarters, I think, or round of 16 of the French Open, I think, and I said I would never do it again on court, because I don’t feel like that’s a good representation.
“But yeah, I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did.
“So, yeah, maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”
Coco Gauff’s former coach says what he thinks about her racket-smash incident
Also speaking on ‘The Big T Podcast’, Gauff’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, commented on the incident.
“I totally get if you break it somewhere that is totally visible, but Coco went behind the wall, to where she was gathering herself away from her team,” he said.
“Okay, tennis players are getting a little sensitive, but we are not in a casino where you have the eye on you at all times.
“She went behind the wall to break it.”
The consensus seems to be that Gauff was hard done by to have her racket smash shown live on TV.
She won’t want to dwell on it for too long, though, as she gears up for a return to action.
Where will Coco Gauff play next?
Gauff will return to the WTA Tour at the Qatar Open.
She reached the quarterfinals on debut, but lost in the second round on her previous two visits to Doha.
Who will win the 2026 Qatar Open?
The American will want to make a deeper run this time around and may be in with a chance of going all the way.
Especially since some of her biggest rivals have withdrawn from the tournament.
Big-name withdrawals from the 2026 Qatar Open
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Jessica Pegula
- Madison Keys
- Naomi Osaka
Only time will tell if Gauff can make the most of their absence and take home her fourth career WTA 1000 title.
The 2026 Qatar Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, February 9.
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