Overview
- Coco Gauff was filmed smashing her racket in a backstage corridor after a 6-1, 6-2 quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina, and the footage spread widely online.
- Serena Williams reiterated her support in a new interview, calling herself the “queen of breaking rackets” and joking about teaching Gauff how to do it in one swipe.
- Australian Open officials defended airing the behind-the-scenes moment as showcasing raw emotion and said Gauff could be liable for a fine of up to $50,000.
- Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula echoed Gauff’s call for greater off-court privacy, with Pegula calling the current level of access “very intrusive.”
- Coverage of private areas has become a broader flashpoint in tennis, with references to Aryna Sabalenka’s 2023 off-court racket-smashing and growing calls for renewed discussions on camera limits.