The ATX Open has taken a progressive step toward safeguarding player privacy by introducing a first-of-its-kind ‘rage room.’ It is a secure, camera-free space where competitors can let off steam after matches. The initiative comes just weeks after Coco Gauff’s emotional reaction following her Australian Open defeat was broadcast.
ATX Open Implements Major Privacy Measure Month After Controversy Over Coco Gauff’s Australian Open Outburst
Gauff arrived in Melbourne with clear intent, chasing her third Grand Slam crown. She cruised past Kamilla Rakhimova and Olga Danilović before battling through gritty three-set victories over Hailey Baptiste and Karolína Muchová to reach the quarterfinals. However, her run was halted by the experience of Elina Svitolina, who proved too strong on the day and secured a straight-set win.
Following the defeat, the American left the court, visibly frustrated by the outcome, in an attempt to escape the spotlight. Subsequently, she vented by smashing her racket, unaware that security cameras had captured the scene.
When asked about the incident, Gauff expressed clear discontent, explaining that she had deliberately stepped into what she believed was a private area to avoid being filmed. She emphasized that the moment was meant to remain private and stated that the footage should never have been aired.
“I tried going somewhere where there are no cameras. I have a thing with the broadcast. The same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in the final of US Open (2023). I feel like they don’t need to broadcast. I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera because I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets, but I lost one and two,” Gauff had said during her post-match press conference.
Several questions were raised about the tournament’s handling of player privacy, with World No. 2 Iga Świątek comparing the athletes to animals in a zoo, constantly watched and scrutinized.
Weeks after the incident, a major step was introduced during the ongoing ATX Open in Austin. “Introducing the ATX Open rage room – the first of its kind – where players can privately express frustration or emotion in a safe, camera-free environment,” they captioned their Instagram post.
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Although Gauff is not competing at the event, the initiative could prove significant in safeguarding players’ privacy after matches. The American will now aim to bounce back in upcoming tournaments, following another semifinal defeat to Svitolina at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai.
