Coco Gauff’s racket smash at the Australian Open has been forgotten about by many, but not the ATX Open.
Gauff isn’t playing at the WTA 250 tournament in Austin, where the likes of Venus Williams and Bianca Andreescu have already suffered early exits.
But the American superstar has still had a major impact on the event in Texas, which has decided to introduce a “rage room” on-site.
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
ATX Open introduces ‘rage room’ after Coco Gauff’s racket smash
The ATX Open has proudly introduced the “first of its kind” rage room in Austin, sharing the concept on social media.
The tournament’s official X channel shared an image of the room with the words: “Introducing the ATX Open rage room – the first of its kind – where players can privately express frustration or emotion in a safe, camera-free environment.”
And while there is no direct mention of Gauff, it is a very clear reference to her meltdown in Melbourne earlier this season.
Gauff smashed her racket after her Australian Open quarterfinal defeat to Elina Svitolina, but purposely waited until she was off court to do so.
The American assumed she was out of view when she finally unleashed her frustration en route to the locker room, but a video camera caught the footage, which was quickly released online.
The ATX Open has now decided to take action, with a sign in the room encouraging players to release their anger in a safe environment.
It comprises a picture of a broken racket with messages that read “Don’t smile”, “Count to 3”, “You can do this”, “I believe in you” and “Make it count”.
Gauff isn’t on hand to make use of the room, but the likes of Williams and Andreescu may have already paid a visit after their early exits.
Coco Gauff’s racket smash ordeal proves players deserve more privacy
It’s certainly an interesting idea from the ATX Open, which holds the popular opinion that players deserve more privacy.
Gauff made the admirable decision to wait until she was away from those watching her meeting with Svitolina, both in Melbourne and further afield, to release her rage.
Every player will go through moments of frustration, and racket smashes are more than understandable, with the 21-year-old simply losing her cool after her high-profile exit.
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But rather than letting her emotions win in the heat of the moment, she showed fantastic maturity, as ever, to leave the spotlight first.
It’s easy to forget that tennis stars are humans after all, and it simply can’t be easy to constantly be in the limelight, both in a negative and positive manner.
Given its aims for privacy, it remains to be seen who, if anyone, will make use of the ATX Open rage room this week, but players can relax somewhat knowing the option is there.
After winning the Qatar Open, Jessica Pegula has opted against defending her title, but the likes of home favorites Iva Jovic and Taylor Townsend remain in the tournament.
It arrives at a time when many high-profile players are taking a brief break, while others have opted to play in the WTA 500 Merida Open in Mexico.
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