Coco Gauff responds to ‘rage room’ after Australian Open incident led to change at ATX Open

Coco Gauff admits rage room may have prevented Australian Open outburst

There were a lot of people angry at Coco Gauff for smashing her racket following her quarterfinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.

While some were defending the American, others felt that she should have been punished, with some even calling for her to be banned from the tournament.

The incident, which was caught on camera by a Netflix documentary crew, sparked debate over privacy concerns and led to discussions about how players express frustration.

In response to the controversy, last week’s ATX Open introduced a ‘rage room’, giving players a private space away from cameras and fans if they needed it. The idea came directly from one of Gauff’s comments:

“When you go in that hallway – which is like maybe four steps [from the locker room] – you expect privacy. I’m used to just everybody being in my business,” she said after losing at Indian Wells.

Gauff said “I would say yes” when asked if she would’ve used one after her loss. She added:

“Not probably during that match but there are matches where I needed one.”

Coco Gauff explains whether she’d use a rage room after Melbourne backlash

Even though she’s never made it to the final at the California WTA 1000 event, Gauff is still considered one of the favourites heading into Indian Wells this year.

In her pre-tournament press conference, she was asked about the introduction of rage rooms and whether she’d take advantage if they became common across the tour.

Gauff said she might use one but noted that breaking rackets isn’t something she does often. “For sure it was inspired by me, I guess (smiling). So I’ll take it nicely,” responded Gauff. “I mean, I guess I would. I’m someone who doesn’t break a racket like that often, but when it happens, obviously, as you can see, it happens.

“So I guess I probably would use it. It’s not something you really plan, but I definitely try not to do it on camera or on court.

“So yeah if felt like needed to let go some frustration, would definitely be in the rage room. Yeah have ones think here so maybe should book one those and actually like break plates and stuff that would be probably more fun than a racket.”

Shelton and Sabalenka offer different takes on rage rooms at ATX Open

Shelton and Sabalenka both indicated they might make use of a rage room even more frequently than Gauff.

Shelton said: “I mean yeah probably (smiling),” Shelton told press. “I probably would use it. have to look at — didn’t hear about or see anything about but yeah probably use. Yeah got some anger for sure (smiling).”

The WTA 250 event in Austin featured a rage room for players looking to let off steam, but there’s been no indication of similar facilities being available at Indian Wells yet.

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