Coco Gauff called for more privacy for players after she was captured smashing a racquet following a devastating defeat by Elina Svitolina in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
A despondent Gauff, 21, served five double faults, made 26 unforced errors and hit just three winners in a 6-1 6-2 loss that took just 59 minutes.
The American did not smash the racquet on court but was filmed by the tournament's behind-the-scenes coverage in the players' area, with the footage broadcast on TV and social media.
Gauff said she had made a conscious effort to suppress her emotions until she was away from public view.
She referenced a similar incident at the 2023 US Open, when Aryna Sabalenka was captured smashing her racquet after losing the final to Gauff.
"I tried to go somewhere where there was no cameras," said Gauff.
"Certain moments - the same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in the US Open final - I feel like they don't need to broadcast.
"Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like, at this tournament, the only private place we have is the locker room."
Ukraine's Svitolina will go on to face title favourite Sabalenka after the world number one dominated teenager Iva Jovic 6-3 6-0.
On why she felt the need to smash her racquet in the aftermath, Gauff said: "I don't want to lash out on my team. They don't deserve that.
"I don't think it's a bad thing. I try not to do it on court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion."
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said players need privacy during an emotionally taxing tournament.
"There are cameras absolutely everywhere and players need to have quiet areas," he said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
"That's the only sanctuary a well-known tennis player really gets other than their hotel room.
"Players have got to be in the locker room and their hotel room to have any sort of privacy - that's not really right."
Gauff had demonstrated her resilience with back-to-back three-set wins to reach the quarter-finals, but she was never able to gain a foothold against Svitolina.
The Ukrainian 12th seed was ruthless, taking six of her seven break point opportunities to reach a first Australian Open semi-final.
Having made a tour-leading 431 double faults last season - 131 more than any other player - Gauff has made a concerted effort to improve her serve, hiring biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, who previously helped Sabalenka.
But five double faults in the first set - including on break point to go 2-1 down and on set point - contributed towards a dismal end to her tournament.
Published By: Ajide Micheal Oluwabunmi.
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