In a “privacy rebellion” at the Australian Open 2026, top tennis stars including Iga Świątek and Amanda Anisimova have lashed out at broadcasters and tournament organisers following a leaked video of Coco Gauff.
The controversy erupted today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after footage went viral showing Gauff repeatedly smashing her racket against a concrete floor in a backstage ramp area following her quarterfinal exit.
The incident that saw Coco vent her frustration and anger in a close space away from the prying eyes of the public after losing 6-1, 6-2 to Elina Svitolina. The incident, which was caught on the stadium’s camera, has been made available to the public by several media outlets.
The World No. 2, who was also eliminated in the quarterfinals by Elena Rybakina, did not hold back in her press conference; she said,
“Perhaps we can talk about it, because I think that, in this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room,” Gauff lamented at a press conference.
“The question is, are we tennis players or animals in a zoo where we’re watched even when we’re doing our business? Obviously, it’s an exaggeration, but it would be nice to have some privacy. It would also be nice to be able to follow your own process and not always be under observation.”
Świątek also referenced a viral clip from earlier in the week where she was filmed being stopped by security for forgetting her accreditation. She argued that while fans find it “funny”, it is an unnecessary burden on players’ professional lives.
“We are meant to be watched on the court and by the press; that’s our job. It’s not our job to become a meme when you forget your accreditation,” she warned, also referring to a video captured by the tournament cameras in which she was the subject of ridicule for forgetting her pass. “It’s funny, no doubt. People have something to talk about, but, for us, I don’t think it’s necessary,” she concluded.
This isn’t the first time Gauff has raised this issue; she noted a similar lack of privacy regarding Aryna Sabalenka after the 2023 US Open. With Jessica Pegula also weighing in to call the backstage filming an “invasion of privacy”, the WTA is reportedly facing pressure to negotiate “dead zones” for players where cameras are strictly prohibited.
