Coco Gauff Loses Her Cool…And Her Racquet; Takes Out Frustration After AO26 Exit | WATCH | Tennis News

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 19:37 IST

Coco Gauff admitted her racquet smash after losing 6-1, 6-2 to Elina Svitolina at the Australian Open was a private release.

Coco Gauff at the 2026 Australian Open (AP)

Coco Gauff owned her meltdown — even if she wished the cameras hadn’t.

The world No. 3 admitted Tuesday that her post-match racquet smash after a heavy Australian Open quarter-final loss was a necessary release — just one she hoped would stay private.

Gauff was dismantled 6-1, 6-2 by Elina Svitolina on Rod Laver Arena, exiting the court visibly deflated before television cameras caught her angrily destroying her racquet away from the spotlight.

“I know myself,” the 21-year-old said. “I don’t want to lash out at my team. They’re good people and they don’t deserve that. I needed to let the frustration out.”

The American insisted the outburst wasn’t about poor sportsmanship, but self-control.

“If I don’t let that emotion out, I’m just going to be snappy with the people around me,” she said. “So I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”

What annoyed her most wasn’t the loss of composure; it was the loss of privacy.

“I tried to go somewhere I thought there wasn’t a camera,” Gauff said. “I don’t like breaking racquets. I said after the French Open I’d never do it again on court because it’s not a good representation.”

“But obviously they caught it. It feels like the only private place at this tournament is the locker room.”

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the two-time Grand Slam champion was quick to credit Svitolina for forcing the collapse.

“She made me play like that,” Gauff said. “Bad days are often caused by your opponent. She did really well.”

For Svitolina, the emphatic win sends her into a blockbuster semi-final against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday.

(with AFP inputs)

Read More