‘Animals in a zoo’: Players unite against privacy invasion at Australian Open

Coco Gauff’s raw post-match frustration at the Australian Open has sparked a wider, unified pushback from players against what they describe as an increasing invasion of privacy during tournaments, with some of the sport’s biggest names speaking in one voice.

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The issue came into sharp focus after third seed Gauff was caught on camera smashing her racquet deep inside Melbourne Park following her quarter-final defeat on Tuesday. The footage quickly went viral, prompting the American to speak out.

“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did,” Gauff said. “So maybe some conversations can be had because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”

A day later, she reinforced the point on social media, writing: “I’m a real person with real feelings. I care a lot & I’m trying my best. Thank you to those who understand that.”



Gauff found strong backing across the locker room. Serena Williams came to her defence, posting on X: “Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose.”

World No.2 Iga Swiatek, who was also eliminated at the quarter-final stage, said off-court cameras had gone too far, likening the experience to constant surveillance.

“The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo?” Swiatek said. “It would be nice to have some privacy… some space where you can do that without the whole world watching.”

Swiatek pointed to her own recent experience, when footage of her being denied access to an area at Melbourne Park for not wearing accreditation spread rapidly online.

“We’re meant to be watched on the court and in the press. That’s our job,” she said. “It’s not our job to be a meme.”

Sixth seed Jessica Pegula echoed those concerns after reaching the semi-finals.

“Coco wasn’t wrong when she said the only place that is private is the locker room, which is crazy,” Pegula said. “People were zooming in on players’ phones. That’s so unnecessary. It’s really an invasion of privacy.”

Amanda Anisimova admitted she tries to ignore the scrutiny but agreed Gauff’s moment should never have been made public.

“She didn’t have a say in that,” Anisimova said. “That’s the tough part.”


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