Following her quarter-final loss to Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek backed up Coco Gauff's complaints about a lack of privacy at the Australian Open by claiming tennis players are treated like zoo animals.
Gauff sought a spot away from public view to let her frustration out by smashing a racket following her quarter-final loss to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday, only to find out she was on camera after all.
The clip was quickly picked up by broadcasters and on social media, with an unhappy Gauff saying: "Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like, at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room."
Swiatek was caught on camera forgetting her accreditation in a clip that was also widely shared on social media, and she echoed Gauff’s complaints.
The world number two said: "The question is, are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop?
"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.
Rybakina is making a statement here in the quarterfinal 👌
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2026
@wwos @espn @tntsports @wowowtennis #AO26 pic.twitter.com/Gq3nekpeDb
"I don’t think it should be like that because we’re tennis players, we’re meant to be watched on the 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. But, for us, I don’t think it’s necessary."
Amanda Anisimova admitted she headed straight for the locker room, where she knew she would not be filmed, after her quarter-final loss to Jessica Pegula.
"There are good moments, obviously, that people see, and that’s fun," said the American.
"Then, when you lose, there are probably not-so-good moments. I think the fact that the video of Coco was posted, it’s tough, because she didn’t have a say in that."
Gauff has been criticised in some quarters for smashing her racket but she was given support by Serena Williams, who wrote on X: "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."
In response, Tennis Australia, which runs the tournament, said: "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.
"Each year we provide more private spaces for players where they can relax, focus on their preparation and work with their teams privately. This includes a player quiet room and strategy rooms, a sleep room, private locker rooms, medical, health, wellbeing and beauty rooms.
"Cameras capturing behind-the-scenes are positioned in operational areas where the players warm up, cool down and make their journey to and from the court.
"This is all designed to provide fans with a deeper connection to the athletes and help them build their fan base.
"Our goal is always to create an environment that supports the players to perform at their best, while also helping fans appreciate their skill, professionalism and personalities.
"As always, we value feedback from the players and will continue to work collaboratively to ensure the right balance."
Rybakina (above, l) continued her dominant form to end Swiatek's hopes of a first Australian Open title.
Like Carlos Alcaraz, Swiatek only needs this trophy to complete the career Grand Slam, but she was unable to match the Spaniard by reaching the semi-finals.
Although Swiatek was the higher seed, this hardly qualified as a shock, with Rybakina having returned to top form at the end of last season by winning the WTA Finals, while she also won their only previous meeting at Melbourne Park.
The fifth seed went into the tournament as one of the big favourites and is yet to drop a set, with her 7-5 6-1 victory over Swiatek making it eight straight wins over top-10 opponents.
Rybakina’s biggest weapon is her serve and she sent down 11 aces, with her improved first-serve percentage making the difference after a tight first set.
Rybakina will now take on Pegula, aiming to reach her second Australian Open final after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in 2023.
"I’m really happy with the win, and happy that it was in straight sets," said Rybakina. "I was a bit struggling in the first set with the serve but, overall, happy that I managed to win in two.
"I think last season the last couple of tournaments I played I gained some confidence throughout tough matches. Of course, this is something I tried to carry to this year.
"Still a lot of things to improve, to work on, but the most important is that I’m trying to stay aggressive whenever I get the chance to step in, maybe risk a little bit."
There's THAT Anisimova backhand we all know and love 😍@wwos @espn @tntsports @wowowtennis #AO26 pic.twitter.com/mrAfOxkr0F
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2026
For Swiatek, this defeat follows losses to Gauff and Belinda Bencic at the United Cup, with the Pole having won only one of her last seven meetings with top-10 rivals.
"I’m not happy with the result," said the 24-year-old. "It was a high-intensity match. First set was tight, a few points made the difference.
"In the second set, for sure, she improved the serve. She was going for the shots, and it got much tougher.
"I know what I need to improve, and it’s kind of the same stuff that I had in my mind before the tournament as well. So there’s no breakthrough lesson.
"I’m just going to keep doing my job, and hopefully the next tournament I’ll get some stuff settled in terms of what I wanted to do with my game."
Pegula (above) maintained her unbeaten record against Anisimova to emulate Elina Svitolina by making her first semi-final here at the age of 31.
Pegula’s steady arc of progress has been one of the most impressive stories in the women’s game, with the American finally winning a grand slam quarter-final at the seventh time of asking at the US Open in 2024.
The last eight had been her ceiling here but, after knocking out defending champion and close friend Madison Keys in the fourth round, she defeated countrywoman Anisimova 6-2 7-6 (1).
Pegula had won all their three previous meetings and she fought back from 5-3 down in the second set to end Anisimova’s hopes of a third straight slam final appearance.
