We are set for what should be four mouth-watering semi-finals at the Australian Open over the next two days, and yet the main talking point has been elsewhere.
After all, it was Coco Gauff’s underwhelming exit in the quarterfinals which really turned heads.
Many were stunned to see just how poorly she played, as she lost to Elina Svitolina in no time at all. She slumped off court in a hurry, naturally frustrated with the performance she had just put in.
However, it was not this underwhelming showing that sparked controversy, but instead what she did straight after.
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
Despite withholding her emotions and waiting until she was seemingly out of the public eye, a video of Gauff smashing her racket behind the scenes has gone viral, filmed by the Australian Open.
It has sparked an outcry from players and fans alike.
WTA release a strong statement supporting Coco Gauff
Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek, and now the WTA have all jumped to Gauff’s defence, and justifiably so.
After all, it seems that nowhere is safe for players, other than the locker room anymore.
Fortunately, the WTA are taking a stand, and began by writing: “The WTA stands with our players and takes their concerns about privacy and cameras at the Australian Open seriously.”
They argue that players deserve space away from prying eyes to recover in private, stating the measures they have put in place at their events to improve this.
Their plan to speak to the players and find a solution are a positive one too, with Valerie Camillo, the WTA chair, adding: “Recent concerns raised by WTA players at the Australian Open about cameras in off-court player areas are completely valid.
“This is a very human and fair request – athletes need spaces where they can recover and not feel constantly under scrutiny. Providing that space is part of our responsibility as a sport.
“The WTA is committed to listening to its players and acting on concerns like this.”
Andy Roddick defended Gauff’s racket smash too, and took aim at the Australian Open when giving his reaction to the event.
What has Coco Gauff said about her backstage racket smash?
Naturally, it was Gauff’s reaction to this video spreading like wildfire which has garnered such support, as she has not sat and allowed the narrative to run away from her.
Instead, she used it as an opportunity to take aim at the Australian Open and tennis in general, calling for more privacy that will hopefully inspire wholesale change across the tennis tours.
Who is going to win the women’s Australian Open title?
She claimed: “Certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after I played her in the final of the US Open – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.
“Maybe some conversations can be had.”
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