Jessica Pegula responds to Coco Gauff racket smash and criticises Australian Open

Pegula was among those who stood up for her, saying: “Yeah, I’m not a fan of the cameras.”

Speaking about Gauff’s racket-smashing incident in particular, she added: “I saw that last night, and I was, like, geez. It’s the same thing when Aryna lost the final. I was, like, can you just let the girls have like a moment to themselves?

“Honestly we were talking about cameras years ago. I remember when Maddie Keys, her number one priority on council was, we have to stop with these cameras. This is crazy.

“I think they ended up putting up signs so people knew there were cameras, but this year it feels even worse. I mean, I see – like, I’ll be in the gym – and there’s video of me walking into the site. I saw people that didn’t even know it was happening in areas that you don’t think someone is kind of watching you.

“It’s in every single hallway.”

Pegula agreed with Gauff’s earlier comments about privacy during a press conference: “Coco wasn’t wrong when she said the only place is the locker room which is crazy. You know you’re just kind of going about your day.

“To feel like someone is constantly filming you. Like someone online – online people were zooming in on players’ phones and stuff like that? That’s so unnecessary.”

How Coco Gauff responded to the coverage of her racket smash

After addressing the issue of privacy during her press conference, Gauff went on to share a pointed message on social media, asking for understanding around her emotional reactions.

That perspective has gained traction with several players, including Iga Swiatek, who raised similar concerns at the Australian Open, comparing the situation to feeling like “zoo animals.”

Speaking in a follow-up interview, she explained: “I mean that’s life. It’s sport. Everybody goes through those emotions.”

“There are plenty of positive things in life and that comes with pressure as well. It means you’re doing something great and you have more responsibility as a person. You need to have time to deal with your own emotions and get used to it.”