Players react after footage of Coco Gauff sparked debate about boundaries off the court.
Amanda Anisimova has shared her perspective on the discussion around player privacy at the Australian Open following Coco Gauff’s exit from the tournament. While Gauff’s quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina was decisive, it was an incident away from the court that became the main talking point.
Cameras captured Gauff breaking her racket in an area behind Rod Laver Arena after the match, footage that quickly circulated online. The episode prompted the American to publicly question whether players are afforded enough privacy at major tournaments.
Anisimova reflects on lack of privacy during the tournament
Speaking after her own quarterfinal defeat to Jessica Pegula, Anisimova acknowledged how difficult it can be for players to avoid cameras deep into a Grand Slam. She explained that awareness of constant observation changes how players behave off the court.
Anisimova described the video involving Gauff as “tough,” noting that players often have little control over what is recorded and shared. She added that once she realised how visible certain areas were, her instinct was simply to keep her head down and head straight to the locker room.
Her comments highlighted a broader reality for players — moments of celebration are widely shared, but so too are the most emotional and vulnerable reactions following defeat.
Swiatek adds stronger criticism of player treatment
Iga Swiatek also addressed the situation after her quarterfinal loss, offering a more forceful critique. The world number two questioned whether players are sometimes treated more like spectacles than professionals, arguing that constant observation leaves little room for personal processes.
Swiatek pointed to examples at Wimbledon and Roland Garros where players have limited-access areas away from fans and cameras, suggesting similar spaces should be more widely available. While she accepted that scrutiny comes with the job, she stressed that being constantly filmed outside match play is unnecessary.
With Gauff, Anisimova and Swiatek all now out of the tournament, the debate around privacy is unlikely to fade. As the Australian Open heads into its final stages, the issue has once again raised questions about how much access is too much in modern tennis.
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