Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has expressed his commitment to hearing the concerns of tennis players regarding the use of behind-the-scenes cameras at the event. Speaking on Tennis Channel Live during the Australian Open in Melbourne, Tiley addressed the rising controversy surrounding the practice, which has been in place for nearly a decade and has been adopted by other tournaments, including the US Open.
The issue gained renewed attention after American player Coco Gauff’s recent quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina. Following her defeat, Gauff felt frustrated and wanted to privately express her emotions by breaking her racquet, but the moment was captured on camera and broadcast, much to her dismay. Other prominent players, including Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula, and Iga Swiatek, echoed her sentiments, suggesting that discussions about restricting camera access could be beneficial. Swiatek notably remarked that she felt like players were being treated like “animals at the zoo” after experiencing her own embarrassing moment when she was caught on camera forgetting her credential for the player gym.
Tiley emphasized the need to balance player promotion, event promotion, and the presence of cameras. He acknowledged that although the event has its rules and practices, there is a willingness to engage in conversations about the situation. This openness signals a positive step towards better understanding and respecting player privacy while still keeping fans engaged with the sport. As discussions continue, it is hoped that a mutually agreeable solution can be found that maintains the excitement of the event without compromising players’ dignity.