The French Open will not add a controversial television feature that caused uproar at the Australian Open this year.
Coco Gauff smashed her racquet into the floor seven times following her 6-1 6-2 quarter-final defeat to Elina Svitolina in January.
Gauff, though, had deliberately let out her anger in what she thought was a private spot behind the scenes and away from the public eye.
However, the incident was picked up by a camera in the ‘match call area’ reserved for players and their teams – and subsequently shared online.
The clip went viral and prompted a furious backlash from Gauff and other tennis pros, prompting discussion about which areas of tennis tournaments should he off limits for cameras.
But French Open bosses have confirmed the extra backstage cameras will not feature in Paris.
Tournament director and former Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo said: “We really want to maintain respect for the players’ privacy.
“It’s something we will not change this year in terms of any cameras that we can add.”
Wimbledon and US Open spokespeople confirmed to The Athletic they will follow the same stance.
USTA’s Brendan McIntyre added: “[The US Open] will have areas that are designated as no camera access, to ensure players have private spaces.”
American superstar Gauff, who will defend her French Open crown at Roland Garros from May 18, was baffled her incident in Melbourne was beamed around the world.
Iga Swiatek asked “are we tennis players, or are we animals in the zoo?” while Novak Djokovic sarcastically quipped he “was surprised that we have no cameras while we are taking a shower”.
The WTA ATX Open in Texas in February introduced a ‘rage room’ where players could privately let out their emotions and frustrations.
The conversation has resurrected in recent weeks ahead of the next major of the year. Carlos Alcaraz admitted he sees the appeal for fans and broadcasters but the access is “too much”.
He said: “For the fans, it’s great. They love seeing what goes on behind the scenes, what we do, what the facilities inside the tournaments look like.
“But for the players, it’s a bit strange, because we don’t really have anywhere to relax anymore, because we’re constantly thinking there are cameras and that everyone is watching us.
“Having cameras so close, able to see what we’re watching on our phones, I think that’s too much.
“We already don’t have much privacy in tournaments, and I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed.”
Pressed on her suggestion, Gauff added: “Signs. The main thing, signs.
“I think just controlling what’s shown and what is not shown. There are many private moments that we have. I pray before every match.
“I had to tell the cameras to not record that moment because there’s not many gender-neutral areas where we can be.
“Yeah, it became a bigger topic because of me and breaking the racquet. I saw that Carlos said something – I’m glad maybe I started a conversation.
“I definitely think it’s gone too far. We are athletes, we put on a show on the court, but I don’t think we need to compromise everything we do off the court. I think the gym is okay, but when it comes to hallways and every scenario.
“Some people were zooming in on people’s phones, reading their text messages. I saw some tweets about that. I think that’s where it can get a little bit too far.”
It comes the other grand slams responds to another controversy at the Australian Open surrounding wearable technology, that saw the likes of Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka told to remove their Whoop trackers before their matches.
Players will be allowed to wear approved devices that track biometric data on a trial basis at Roland Garros, as well as at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
WTA and ATP events has allowed wearables for years, but the rules at grand slams were yet to officially approve the devices.
Sports including the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA and professional golf permit wearable technology — Rory McIlroy wore a green Whoop on his wrist during his Masters win.
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
