During a particularly challenging match, Coco Gauff managed to keep her composure on the court, despite her game unraveling.
However, once behind the scenes, she vented her frustration by repeatedly smashing her racket on the ground, all under the watchful eyes of the Australian Open’s omnipresent cameras.
The incident was startling, contrasting sharply with the typically composed demeanor of the 21-year-old, who often seems wise beyond her years. It was disconcerting to witness yet another private moment being shared with the world.
In the relentless pursuit of content, major tennis tournaments are increasingly installing cameras in players’ areas, leading to footage that is both captivating and intrusive. This recalls the scenes of Iga Swiatek’s emotional release after her tense victory over Naomi Osaka in the 2024 French Open’s second round.
The Australian Open is at the forefront of this trend. UK broadcasters TNT aired the footage live and eagerly shared it on social media, driven by the quest for maximum engagement.
“I have an issue with the broadcast,” Gauff commented following her 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals. “I think some moments, like what happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after our US Open final, don’t need to be aired.”
Coco Gauff vented her spleen as she repeatedly smashed her racket after losing to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday
The world No 3 could not wait until reaching the locker room to release her tension from the tie
‘I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera, because I don’t like breaking rackets. I broke one racket at the French Open and I said I would never do it again on court, because I don’t feel like that’s a good representation.
‘I went somewhere where I thought they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.’
Jamie Murray was among those sympathetic to the former US Open champion’s actions, saying on TNT Sports: ‘A very disappointing performance from Coco. Rightfully took it out on the racket at the end of that.’
‘Not that we advocate this,’ co-pundit and former British No 1 Laura Robson added. ‘Do you think that she could have chucked the racket on the court to release some tension?’
Top players are in the middle of a battle with the Grand Slams – partially over prizemoney but fundamentally for a greater say in how the events are conducted and portrayed.
The topic of surveillance could become a pertinent issue, with an increasing number of players – Jannik Sinner, Daria Kasatkina, Ben Shelton – producing their own video blogs in an attempt to wrestle back control over the way they are shown to the world.
Back to that racket smash, and after what Gauff had just produced it was a wonder she did not attempt to burn Rod Laver Arena to the ground rather than just attack its flooring.
The world No3 made 26 unforced errors and just three winners; five double faults and zero aces. Her average first serve speed was just 94mph.
As she fell apart in the second set, Gauff went to her courtside coaching box to ask, essentially, what the hell do I do? Her biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan said: ‘Just aim for the middle (of the court), that’s it for now.’ Good advice for a beginner, but if you’re telling that to a two-time Grand Slam champion there is something seriously wrong.
MacMillan has some work to do. It is a credit to Gauff’s extraordinary athleticism and mental strength that she has achieved what she has with such serious technical issues in the two most fundamental strokes in tennis: the serve and forehand.
She struggles to control her ball toss on serve and so her point of contact is inconsistent; her backswing on the forehand is too long and loopy. But the biggest danger will come if these issues take on a mental aspect, too.
The 21-year-old has struggled to play her sharpest tennis at Melbourne Park this year
Elina Svitolina meanwhile will return to the top 10 following the win and has been in fine form Down Under
‘There was a lot that didn’t go well today,’ said Gauff. ‘But bad days are often caused by your opponent. She did well.’
With the psychodrama at one end it was almost easy to forget there was another player on court.
Svitolina is into a first Australian Open semi-final at the age of 31. Two years after returning to the sport following the birth of her daughter Skai – she is married to French player Gael Monfils – she is back in the world’s top 10 and is two wins away from becoming the first mother since Kim Clijsters here in 2011 to claim a Grand Slam singles title.
That is quite the motivation but a greater fuel for her fire is the chance to win Ukraine’s first ever major singles title.
‘It was one of the toughest winters for Ukrainian people, without electricity and everything,’ she said. ‘So I feel like to bring a little light, even just positive news to Ukrainian people, to my friends, it’s a great feeling.’
Svitolina has already beaten two Russians, including their No1 Mirra Andreeva, this fortnight and now faces Belarus – and world – No1 Aryna Sabalenka. Given Donald Trump’s rhetoric towards Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, one suspects she was quite happy to have dispatched American No1 Gauff, too.
Sabalanka had earlier ended the run of 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, 6-3, 6-0. A bad day for the USA was completed by 20-year-old Learner Tien going down in four sets to No3 seed Alexander Zverev.
