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The Dwindling Privacy of the Modern Tennis Player
Main photo credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Dwindling Privacy of the Modern Tennis Player

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports  |  By Cizu Harbor  |  Last updated Jan 31, 2026 8:30 AM ET

A few days ago, Coco Gauff squared off against Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Australian Open in a match many predicted she would win. What followed, however, stunned everyone as she was emphatically beaten by the Ukrainian, who was in no mood for mercy.

While this naturally grabbed tennis headlines, there was another huge story to come out of the match, one that Coco isn’t too pleased is even a topic of conversation.

Coco Gauff Criticises the Media’s Intrusiveness

Making her way back into the locker room, having been dispatched 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes, Gauff was obviously frustrated by her performance and took out that frustration on her racquet, smashing it seven times against the concrete floor of a backroom corridor.

As in tennis, there is a fine for such actions; however, because most players are in public view on court, these incidents generally happen in public view, which makes such reprimands appropriate. As stated, the incident occurred while Gauff was on her way to the locker room, in an area she believed was private. What she did not know, however, was that a broadcast camera had captured and televised the incident for the whole world to see.

She now faces not only a weighty potential fine but also questions about her conduct.

Gauff has since hit back, criticising the tournament broadcasters for airing the footage in the first place. She explained that she had intentionally waited until she was off the court, specifically to avoid the backlash that was arising. She further stated on social media that she is a “real person with real feelings”. She no doubt feels betrayed, having had her rawest moments broadcast so brazenly. And she is not alone.

What has since followed is a debate over what, in recent years, has seemed like an encroachment into tennis players’ private spaces. So many current and past players have rushed to her defence, with Novak Djokovic describing it as “really sad” that players can no longer “fume out” without it becoming content. Iga Swiatek questioned, “Are we tennis players, or are we animals in a zoo?” Serena Williams posted the following on X.

Williams even joked that she would be willing to coach Gauff on how to destroy a racquet in one swipe rather than seven. While Serena’s lightheartedness about the matter is admirable, it raises a serious question: Do tennis players in the modern era have enough privacy?

Australian Open Organizers Double Down

While more players and tennis fans have spoken in support of Gauff, the tournament organizers have taken a defiant stance. They have defended the broadcast, arguing that it is necessary to showcase players’ “personalities and raw emotions” to a global audience. Officials also confirmed that she would be liable for a fine of up to $50,000, as her actions occurred within the tournament precincts.

There is also a small contingent of critics who echo this sentiment, arguing that such behaviours are a poor example for young fans, irrespective of where they occur. This whole situation stems from a push in recent years to give tennis and sports fans a more immersive experience.

Players are increasingly being placed under the microscope whilst also expected to be role models. However, as with most things in life, knowing where to draw the line is equally important. At what point does the push for an all-encompassing experience become too much for players and, maybe, even fans?

A Recurring Problem

This is also not the first time such an incident has occurred.

In 2023, following her US Open final defeat, ironically to Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka smashed her racquet repeatedly in a training area before discarding it. Behind-the-scenes cameras captured the incident, and she also faced some backlash for it. Like Gauff, she believes this should have been a private area.

Cameras in NFL and soccer locker rooms are becoming increasingly common, with players feeling they have no choice or say in the matter. There are cameras and mics in tunnels and hallways, forcing players to act and speak in specific ways.

However, unlike team sports, which make it somewhat easier to deal with such incidents, tennis is mostly a solo sport. Tennis players being singled out in these ways may eventually have a net-negative effect on players, aspiring players, and fans alike.

The Way Forward

No matter your stance on this subject, it is clear that the modern tennis player is being forced to be and act in a predetermined manner, with more and more of their privacy sucked away. Part of what makes a tennis player is their personality, and it is also what makes the sport.

The fallout from this incident is expected to force, and hopefully sustain, new conversations amongst the tennis governing bodies, event organisers, and the players’ council regarding privacy matters. It is paramount that some balance be found so that event organisers, players, and fans alike can once again focus on and enjoy what truly matters: the tennis.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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