Coco Gauff condemns tennis's lack of privacy after she's caught on camera smashing a racket

Coco Gauff has called for more privacy for tennis players after being caught on camera smashing her racket in an off-court players' area following her Australian Open quarter-final loss to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday.

After the loss, the 21-year-old two-time major winner, said she "tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn't a camera, because I don't necessarily like breaking rackets".

Unfortunately for the star, there's pretty much no place in Rod Laver Arena except for the changing rooms that is beyond the scope of the cameras.

So, while the star thought she had privately broken her racket by smashing it seven times against a concrete ramp, footage of the act was quickly broadcast on TV and social media.

"Certain moments - the same thing happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after I played her in the final of the US Open - I feel like they don't need to broadcast," Gauff said in her post-match news conference.

"I broke one racket (at the) French Open, I think, and I said I would never do it again on court because I don't feel like that's a good representation," she said.

"Maybe some conversations can be had."

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Gauff said she thought it was better to shatter a racket than take out any frustration on her team, saying "they don't deserve that, and I know I'm emotional".

The star reiterated that she didn't think it was a "bad thing", but said she tried not to "do it on court in front of kids".

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It was an unusually bad day for the player who made her Grand Slam debut at 15 and won her first major, the 2023 US Open, at 19.

Tennis players breaking their rackets on court isn't especially rare, with multiple cases of it over the years.

It nearly always results in them receiving a fine from the tennis authorities.

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However, the filming and broadcasting of a player who is trying to smash their racket in private is - and is likely to spark a conversation around player privacy, especially with so many young players in tennis.

Tennis Australia, which manages the Australian Open (AO) said: "Striking the right balance between showcasing the personalities and skills of the players, while ensuring their comfort and privacy is a priority for the AO".

"Each year we provide more private spaces for players where they can relax, focus on their preparation and work with their teams privately. This includes a player quiet room and strategy rooms, a sleep room, private locker rooms, medical, health, wellbeing and beauty rooms.

"Cameras capturing behind-the-scenes are positioned in operational areas where the players warm up, cool down and make their journey to and from the court.

"This is all designed to provide fans with a deeper connection to the athletes and help them build their fan base."

The organisation added that it "value(s) feedback from the players and will continue to work collaboratively to ensure the right balance".