Iga Swiatek picked up on a theme raised by Coco Gauff after the Australian Open, when the 21-year-old American broke her racket and vented her frustration off the court, which went viral.
Gauff said “it might be possible to have discussions” about the cameras that appear to have unrestricted access to all areas and follow players from the locker room to the court and all places in between.
After her 7-5, 6-1 quarterfinal loss to fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina on Wednesday, Swiatek was asked what she thought about the lack of off-camera areas for players and what she thought the balance between constant content and player privacy should be.
“Yes, the question is: are we tennis players or are we more like animals in a zoo, where we even observe their natural needs?” she said, apologizing for the latter reference. “Okay, that was obviously over the top, but it would be nice to have some privacy.”
Swiatek and Gauff are among the top three players in women’s tennis, so it makes sense that they would be in the spotlight more.
The image of Swiatek being arrested by security after forgetting her badge became a meme during the tournament. She has won four titles at Roland Garros, as well as Wimbledon and the US Open. But security is, well, security.
Fan Engagement
Off-court camera surveillance exists at other tournaments and is not limited to the Australian Open, where organizers created a three-week festival around the season-opening major incorporating all manner of activities to engage fans.
Footage from non-public areas of the stadium isn’t always released, but players don’t need to be reminded that some captured moments will end up on the Internet because they’re cute, informative or just plain spectacular.
Swiatek, ranked No. 2, said there are aspects of her game she’d like to work on just before she steps on court and that “it would be nice to have a space where you can do that without the whole world watching.”
The 24-year-old is one of Poland’s biggest stars and is fully aware that being in the public eye is an integral part of being a champion.
“We are tennis players. We’re supposed to be watched on the court, you know, and in the press. This is our job,” she said. “It’s not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation.”
Gauff’s racket
Ranked No. 3, Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam winner, smashed her racket seven times on the concrete floor of a ramp near the players’ area after her Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina on Day 10.
She remained calm as she left center court before looking for a place out of sight to let off some steam.
It turns out there’s virtually no place inside Rod Laver Arena, other than the locker room, that’s hidden from the cameras.
“At times — the same thing happened to Aryna (Sabalenka) after I faced her in the US Open final — I feel like they don’t need to release that footage,” Gauff said during his post-match press conference. “I tried to go to a place where I thought there wasn’t a camera, because I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets.”
Serena’s advice
Gauff received encouragement from 23-time major winner Serena Williams, who posted on social media that there was “nothing wrong with hating losing” and offered to show Gauff how to destroy with one blow — the Serena way. Gauff said she didn’t want to break her racket on court in full view of fans, which is why she saved it for a quieter location.
“So, yeah, maybe some conversations can be had,” she said, “because I feel like in this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”
And that’s exactly where fourth-seeded Amanda Anisimova went after her quarter-final loss to fellow American Jessica Pegula.
“There are some good moments, which people obviously see, and it’s fun. Then, when you lose, there are probably less good moments,” she explained. “The fact that Coco’s video was published is difficult because she had no say in it.”
Djokovic: I don’t see how that could change
Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 major tournaments, remembers the days when cameras weren’t omnipresent, and he preferred it that way. But he thinks there will be no going back.
“I saw what happened with Coco after her match. I sympathize with her,” Djokovic said. “I agree with her. You know, it’s really sad that you can’t go anywhere and hide and… vent your frustration in a way that won’t be captured on camera.
“But we live in a society and an age where content is king, so it’s a deeper debate. I really find it hard to imagine that this could change. It’s just something we have to accept, I guess. »
Djokovic made a joke about the sanctity of locker rooms, which are still off-limits on television.
“I’m surprised there aren’t any cameras while we shower!” he said. “I mean, that’s probably the next step.”
Worth a look
