Gauff Demands Privacy After Racket Smash Caught on Camera

Coco Gauff has requested increased privacy for athletes following a public broadcast of her racket-smashing incident. This occurred immediately after her surprising defeat in the Australian Open quarter-finals to Elina Svitolina. The match saw Svitolina, at 31, secure a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 59 minutes, marking her first semi-final appearance at the Melbourne venue.

Gauff admitted to attempting to find a camera-free area to release her frustration by smashing her racket. However, the moment was captured by tournament coverage and widely shared. She noted that the locker room is the sole private space for players during the tournament.

The 20-year-old expressed no regret for her actions, emphasizing that she chose to direct her emotions away from her team. Gauff highlighted her ongoing serve struggles and a high number of unforced errors, contributing to her difficult performance. She aspires to emulate players like Serena Williams in finding ways to win on off days.

Meanwhile, Elina Svitolina celebrated one of her career's best performances. The Ukrainian player has advanced to her fourth Grand Slam semi-final and her second since returning to the tour after maternity leave in 2022. Svitolina, who has re-entered the top 10 rankings, aims to surpass her previous Grand Slam best.

In another match, world number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated 18-year-old Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0. Sabalenka, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, will face Svitolina in the semi-finals. The match took place on a very hot day, with organizers adjusting schedules to mitigate the extreme heat.