Grand Slams respond to tennis stars’ privacy concerns after Australian Open complaints
Grand Slams respond to tennis stars’ privacy concerns after Australian Open complaints
Publish Date: 2026-04-21 06:07:00
Source Domain: www.nytimes.com
The three remaining Grand Slams in 2026 are putting measures in place to placate tennis stars’ privacy concerns following a series of complaints at January’s Australian Open.
The French Open tournament director, Amélie Mauresmo, stressed her commitment to “maintain(ing) the respect for their privacy” in a news conference Thursday, and spokespeople for Wimbledon and the U.S. Open have detailed similar plans for the coming summer.
In a virtual news conference Thursday, Mauresmo said that the French Open will not add more cameras in behind-the-scenes areas, despite broadcasters seeking more access to players.
A spokesperson for Wimbledon said via email that the tournament will review all footage captured before transmitting it, as well as communicating which areas will be under media surveillance ahead of time to avoid players being caught out in areas that they believe to be safe havens.
This is what led Coco Gauff to take umbrage with the Australian Open in January, after she was caught on camera smashing a racket seven times in an area she believed to be free of them, following her quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina.
During a news conference, Gauff said: “Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.
“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments don’t need to broadcast.”
In a news conference a day later, Iga Świątek asked “are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo?” In another, Novak Djokovic said that he “was surprised that we have no cameras while we are taking a shower.”
Leading American players Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova also made critical comments. A Tennis Australia spokesperson said that “striking the right balance between showcasing the personalities and skills of the players, while ensuring their comfort and privacy, is a priority for the AO.”
A spokesperson was not immediately available for comment on…
