Coco Gauff called for more privacy for players after she was captured smashing a racquet following a devastating defeat by Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
A despondent Gauff, 21, served five double faults, made 26 unforced errors and hit just three winners in a 6-1 6-2 loss that took just 59 minutes.
The American did not smash the racquet on court but was filmed by the tournament’s behind-the-scenes coverage in the players’ area, with the footage broadcast on TV and social media.
Gauff said she had made a conscious effort to suppress her emotions until she was away from public view.
She referenced a similar incident at the 2023 US Open, when Sabalenka was captured smashing her racquet after losing the final to Gauff.
“I tried to go somewhere where there was no cameras,” said Gauff.
“Certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in the US Open final – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.
“Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like, at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room.”
Ukraine’s Svitolina will go on to face title favourite Aryna Sabalenka after the world number one dominated teenager Iva Jovic 6-3 6-0.
