Iga Swiatek Calls for More Privacy After Coco Gauff’s Viral Racket-Smashing Moment at Australian Open: “Are We Animals in the Zoo?”
Elina Svitolina dismantled Coco Gauff, while Elena Rybakina ended Iga Swiatek's run at Melbourne Park.
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Iga Swiatek (R) backed Coco Gauff's (L) call for more privacy (Image via X/The Independent, iga archive, TNT Sports)
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Tennis players, at the end, are humans, and not animals in a zoo. They need some privacy away from the court while competing on the tour but are well aware of the need for constant content for fan engagement. This is difficult thanks to the presence of cameras almost everywhere at the venue of the competition.
Coco Gauff, to avoid controversy, found a quiet place away from the sight of the fans and smashed her racket after her disappointing straight-set defeat to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Australian Open. But to her utter dismay, the moment was broadcast and became viral thanks to the presence of the cameras. At the press conference, then, Gauff called for more privacy, and so has Iga Swiatek, who wants more off-camera areas for players.
The Pole also crashed out with a straight-set defeat to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. At the press conference, she admitted that the clip of her forgetting her credentials was funny and gave the fans something to talk about. She explained the importance of finding a balance between the fans’ want for entertainment versus players’ need to be away from the public gaze while not playing.
The question is, are we tennis players? Or are we animals in the zoo? Where they are observed even when they’re pooping. Ok, 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. For example, in other sports, you have some technical things you wanna do. It would be nice to have some space you can do that without the whole world watching.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
Swiatek, a two-time semifinalist at Melbourne Park, was bidding to complete the Career Grand Slam. Last year, the winner of the 2022 US Open and four Roland Garros titles emerged victorious at Wimbledon.
On Wimbledon, there are courts where people with accreditation can get there but it’s without the fans. There are some tournaments where it’s impossible, and you’re constantly observed. I don’t think it should be like that because we are tennis players. We’re meant to be watched on court and in the press. That’s our job. It’s not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation. It’s funny for sure. People have something to talk about. For us, I don’t think it’s necessary.
Iga Swiatek added
Gauff’s opponent, Svitolina, will next be locking horns with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Rybakina will meet Jessica Pegula, who knocked out Amanda Anisimova.
Iga Swiatek aims to improve her serve after Australian Open exit
Iga Swiatek is not at all satisfied with the result. What she aims to improve the most is her serve. Throughout her match against Elena Rybakina, the World No.2 hit three aces while the Kazakh’s tally was 11.
She tried to change certain aspects of her serve in the pre-season but admitted that she needs a long time to make changes to her game.
I have some things I want to work on. I’ve never played flawlessly on these courts because they are fast. I guess I’ll try next time anyway. I see Carlos [Alcaraz], for example, changing his serve every year. For me, a small thing takes much longer.
Iga Swiatek said at the press conference
Alcaraz is also chasing his Career Grand Slam. He reached the semifinals in Melbourne for the first time after downing Alex de Minaur and will next clash with third seed Alexander Zverev. The Spaniard has yet to drop a set.
Also read: Naomi Osaka’s Ex-Coach Blasts Iva Jovic’s Critics Who Cited her Australian Open Comments as Arrogant
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