The row over the Australian Open’s Big Brother-style filming intensified as Iga Swiatek said players are being treated ‘like animals in a zoo’.
On Tuesday, Coco Gauff said ‘conversations can be had’ about the presence of cameras in player areas, after backstage footage of her smashing a racket following her quarter-final defeat was beamed around the world.
World No 2 Swiatek has now doubled down on that message, saying: ‘The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop, you know? OK, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy.’
The Pole, who lost 7-5, 6-1 to Elena Rybakina, added: ‘It would be nice also to have your own process and not always be observed. I guess it would be nice to have some space where you can do that without the whole world watching.
‘At Wimbledon there are courts like Aorangi (the practice courts) where people with accreditation can get there, but it’s without the fans. On Roland Garros there’s Jean-Bouin (an adjacent club where players can practice in private).
‘There are some spaces that you can at least go when you need to, but there are some tournaments where it’s impossible and you are constantly observed, if not by the fans who can just buy some ground passes and go to your practice, then by the cameras.’
Coco Gauff was furious that a moment she believed to be private was shown to the world
In 2024 after escaping an epic second-round clash with Naomi Osaka at the French Open, Swiatek was filmed in floods on tears on a massage bed, in what felt like a deeply private moment.
Then earlier in this Australian Open, she forgot her accreditation pass and had to wait while it was fetched before security let her in – UK broadcasters TNT packaged up the footage for some light-hearted ‘content’.
‘For sure it’s not simple,’ added Swiatek. ‘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.
‘Oh, it’s funny, yeah, for sure. People have something to talk about, but for us I don’t think it’s necessary.’
Rybakina will play Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s semi-finals after the No 6 seed beat Amanda Anisimova in an All-American clash. Anisimova was clearly emotional but managed to escape the prying eyes of the Australian Open cameras.
‘I knew the cameras were there so I just kept my head down and went to the locker room,’ said the 24-year-old.
‘There are good moments, obviously, that people see and that’s fun. Then when you lose there are probably not-so-good moments. The fact the video of Coco that was posted, it’s tough because she didn’t have a say in that.’
In a statement, the Australian Open 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.
Iga Swiatek said: ‘The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo?’
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.’
