Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed Thursday that he has heard several players’ pleas for privacy away from the court.
Tiley’s comments on Tennis Channel Live in Melbourne came on the heels of third-seeded Coco Gauff frustratingly smashing her racket on the floor backstage following her swift 6-1, 6-2 setback to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The scene was captured on camera, leading to Gauff having to own her actions and others — such as Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek — to come to her defense.
While noting the Australian Open walks a fine line in terms of promotion, Tiley said he always will keep his ears open to the players’ requests.
“We want to listen to the players, we want to really understand what their needs and what their wants are,” he said, “so that’s the first question we’ll ask; we’ve heard you and whatever adjustments we need to make, we will make.
“We’ll continue to review it and make sure that the players are comfortable with it. But at the same time, we also want to bring the fan and the player closer. We believe, as tennis players, we can really lift up their value and the love the fans have for them. But it’s a fine line that we have to keep walking.”
The WTA acknowledged Thursday that it is reducing the number of cameras in off-court areas.
“Recent concerns raised by WTA players at the Australian Open about cameras in off-court player areas are completely valid,” WTA chairperson Valerie Camillo said on Thursday.
“This is a very human and fair request — athletes need spaces where they can recover and not feel constantly under scrutiny.
“Providing that space is part of our responsibility as a sport. The WTA is committed to listening to its players and acting on concerns like this.”
–Field Level Media
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