Carlos Alcaraz has jumped on board with Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Novak Djokovic, and several other top players to call out the lack of privacy at tournaments. The Spaniard, who is getting ready to compete at the Monte-Carlo Masters, recently called the rise in behind-the-scenes cameras “strange.”
Like Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz Is Unhappy With the Lack of Privacy at Tournaments
In January 2026, Coco Gauff smashed her racket backstage after a painful quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open. The American chose her spot carefully to vent her frustration, or so she thought. As it turned out, she was being filmed by surveillance cameras in the area.
After realizing her footage had gone viral, Gauff made it clear that she wasn’t on board with the constant filming. “I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn’t broadcast it, but obviously they did. Maybe some conversations we can have because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room,” she said.
The incident ignited a debate. Coco Gauff soon received support from Pegula, Djokovic, and others in her protest. Iga Świątek compared tennis players to “zoo animals” while echoing her rival’s sentiments. Now, Carlos Alcaraz has expressed a similar opinion. While chatting with the press at the 2026 Monte-Carlo Masters, the Spaniard condemned the invasion of privacy.
“For the fans, it’s great. They love seeing what goes on behind the scenes, what we do, what the facilities inside the tournaments look like. But for the players, it’s a bit strange because we don’t really have anywhere to relax anymore because we’re constantly thinking there are cameras and that everyone is watching us.”
The Spaniard was no fan of the cameras installed on the US Open practice courts either. At last year’s event, he was captured seemingly having a tense interaction with his team about being filmed while preparing for his matches.
MORE: Carlos Alcaraz Involved in a Tense Conversation With His Team After Spotting a Camera at the US Open
“Having cameras so close, able to see what we’re watching on our phones, I think that’s too much. We already don’t have much privacy in tournaments, and I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed,” he continued.
After the controversy, the Australian Open agreed to review their surveillance policy to ensure that players feel comfortable. Meanwhile, the WTA ATX Open introduced a “Rage Room” for players to release their emotions after intense battles.
