TENNIS: 'Are we animals in the zoo?': Swiatek calls for player privacy at Australian Open

MELBOURNE – World No. 2 Iga Swiatek joined a growing chorus of players calling for more privacy off the courts at the Australian Open after cameras captured American Coco Gauff in a post-match meltdown that the 19-year-old said should have been a private moment.

The incident occurred following Gauff’s 59-minute quarterfinal defeat by Elina Svitolina, when the American retreated behind a wall near the match-call area in the stadium and repeatedly smashed her racquet on the ground. Unbeknownst to her, cameras recorded the entire scene, and the footage was broadcast globally. Gauff later expressed frustration that players have little privacy anywhere except the locker room.

“The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo, where they are observed even when they poop?” Swiatek told reporters after losing 7-5, 6-1 to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. “Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy. It would be nice also to have your own process and not always be observed.”

American Amanda Anisimova also weighed in, noting that players have limited privacy at Melbourne Park. She said she “kept my head down” until reaching the locker room.

“There are good moments, obviously, that people see and that’s fun. Then, when you lose, there are probably not-so-good moments,” Anisimova said. “The video of Coco that was posted, it’s tough, because she didn’t have a say in that.”

‘Invasion of Privacy’

Jessica Pegula added that off-court camera coverage needs to be reduced, describing it as a constant presence this year.

“I was, like, ‘Can you just let the girls have a moment to themselves?’” Pegula said. “Coco wasn’t wrong when she said the only safe place is the locker room, which is crazy. You’re just going about your day. I saw online people were zooming in on players’ phones and stuff like that. That’s so unnecessary. I just think it’s really an invasion of privacy. We’re on the court on TV. You come inside, you’re on TV. Literally, the only time you’re not being recorded is when you are going to shower or the bathroom.”

Contrast With Other Majors

Swiatek highlighted the stark contrast between the Australian Open and other Grand Slam tournaments. She recalled going viral after being denied entry into the venue for forgetting her accreditation, noting that events like the French Open and Wimbledon offer sanctuary areas off-limits to cameras and fans.

“There are some spaces that you can at least go when you need to. But there are some tournaments where it’s impossible, and you are constantly observed—if not by the fans, then by the cameras,” she said. “It’s not simple. I don’t think it should be like that because we’re tennis players. We’re meant to be watched on the court and in the press. It’s not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation. Sure, it’s funny and people talk about it, but for us, I don’t think it’s necessary.”

When asked whether she had spoken to the tournament organizers about the issue, Swiatek shrugged: “What’s the point?”

-Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul and Shri Navaratnam/Reuters