This year’s Australian Open reignited privacy concerns after Coco Gauff was filmed smashing her racket while unsuccessfully searching for a space away from cameras. Players, including Gauff and Novak Djokovic, later urged stronger respect for personal moments. Yet Wimbledon appears unmoved, declining to act on their appeal.

According to The Times, one of the sport’s leading agents wrote to all four Grand Slam events. The letter raised concerns about a possible invasion of privacy. It urged tournaments to reconsider backstage camera access.

The report stated that Wimbledon will not change its current broadcast setup. The All England Club confirmed this position to player representatives on Friday.

“Wimbledon has told players it will not be making any changes to its camera set-up at this year’s championships despite a backlash over behind-the-scenes access at the Australian Open,” Tom Kershaw wrote in The Times.

Wimbledon officials responded to the concerns in writing. They said they are “acutely aware of the need to prioritize players’ welfare.” The letter also promised that all footage would be reviewed before being shown by an internal team.

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The report said Wimbledon believes backstage cameras offer value. These cameras capture warm-down and behind-the-scenes moments. However, the tournament also stressed its duty to protect players.

Officials confirmed that private areas will remain camera-free. Spaces for players and their teams will not be filmed. This rule will apply throughout the championship.

Wimbledon further assured players about transparency. All cameras will be clearly visible and identified. Their exact locations will be shared before the event begins on June 29.

The privacy debate intensified after Coco Gauff’s Australian Open exit. Following her 59-minute loss to Elina Svitolina, she smashed her racket off the court. The video quickly went viral online, and Gauff later revealed she tried to avoid cameras.

“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. So, yeah, maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room,” she said.

Novak Djokovic supported her concerns: “I agree with her (Coco). You know, it’s really sad that you can’t basically move away anywhere and hide and – what do you call that – fume out your frustration, your anger in a way that won’t be captured by a camera. But we live in a society and in times where content is everything, so it’s a deeper discussion.”

Since the AO, more players have raised similar concerns. The debate over off-court privacy continues across the sport. Discussions about balancing content and personal space are expected to grow.

Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula voiced concerns over players’ privacy rights

After Coco Gauff’s racket-smashing video went viral, several players spoke about privacy. Many WTA stars supported the need for personal space. 

The AO gives fans strong behind-the-scenes access. Cameras were placed across the tunnels and player areas at Melbourne Park. However, not all players are comfortable with this level of visibility.

Iga Swiatek was one of the first to question the system. She compared the constant filming to excessive observation: “The question is, are we tennis players, or are we, like, animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know? Okay, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy.”

Amanda Anisimova also accepted the situation reluctantly. She admitted that privacy is limited during major events. Many players now feel constant exposure is part of the job.

Jessica Pegula also shared her concerns after reaching the semifinals in Australia. She openly criticized the presence of cameras during emotional moments: “I’m not a fan of the cameras. I saw that last night, and I was, like, geez. It’s the same thing when Aryna [Sabalenka] lost the [2023 US Open] final, I was, like, can you just let the girls have like a moment to themselves?”

She also explained why going to the locker room was not practical: “Why would you go to the locker room and do that? That would have been so, first of all, there’s carpet. What are you going to smash it into? A wall?”

Serena Williams also reacted to the incident. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, praised Gauff’s passion and emotion. Serena supported that view publicly.

She wrote, “Well said. @alexisohanian Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose. Now, Coco, when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.”

With Wimbledon stating that no major changes are planned, the debate continues. As the tour moves toward the remaining Grand Slams, the focus will be on whether player privacy receives stronger protection.