Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports
Topics: Australian Open, Tennis
Luke Davies
Behind-the-scenes footage of Coco Gauff after her Australian Open defeat against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina has gone viral - and fans were quick to offer their thoughts.
On Tuesday (January 27), 21-year-old American Gauff lost 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes against 31-year-old Svitolina in the quarter-final of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
The American, who has previously won two Grand Slam titles (2023 US Open and 2025 French Open) and is world number three, was visibly frustrated by her performance and even became embroiled in a heated exchange with her box during the clash.
TNT Sports caught the moment on camera with commentator Laura Robson suggesting that Gauff “looked lost” on the court as her hopes of reaching the semi-finals slipped away.
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Former British tennis star Tim Henman claimed that “Svitolina just took advantage” of Gauff’s “shocking performance”.
Svitolina will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final four.
As for Gauff, her frustrations continued after the match, which was apparent in a behind-the-scenes clip posted by TNT Sports.
In the clip, the tennis star repeatedly smashes her racket against a concrete floor as onlookers look towards her, appearing puzzled.
And fans were quick to react to the moment of fury on social media.
One said: “Disgraceful behaviour, I'd have some sympathy if it was after the finals, but you can't be doing that live on TV/behind the scenes. She was simply awful tonight.”
Another added: “Showing more fight there than she did during the match. Seriously, if she doesn't have a coach for the mental side of the game, then she needs to have one. So many times, she seems lost on court, and I struggle to see how that marries up with a two-time Grand Slam champion."
A third claimed: “Showing Coco Gauff smashing her racquet backstage is such an invasion of privacy. She was perfectly respectful to Svitolina after the match, and she should be allowed to release her frustrations without cameras. The same applies to all players.”
While a fourth commented: “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Coco Gauff is one of the least impressive multi Slam winners I have ever seen. The massive hype does not match the skill set. She’s solid in a lot of areas, but really doesn’t do anything at a super spectacular level. Over-ranked & hyped.”
Following her defeat, Gauff has called for enhanced privacy for players after the footage of her smashing the racket went viral.
"I tried to go somewhere where there was no cameras," she said.
"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."