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French Open organisers promise camera-free zones after Coco Gauff’s viral Australian Open moment, boosting player privacy.
Coco Gauff’s criticism of AO26 for the lack of privacy fell on Roland Garros organizers’ ears (AFP)
Ask, and you shall receive.
After a wave of criticism earlier this season, French Open organisers have made one thing crystal clear: players will get their private space.
Simply put: no cameras allowed.
The Incident That Sparked It All
The debate exploded at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Coco Gauff, frustrated after her quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina, tried to find a quiet corner near Rod Laver Arena to vent — only to later realise the moment had been broadcast worldwide.
“I tried to go somewhere I thought there wasn’t a camera,” Gauff said.
“It feels like the only private place at this tournament is the locker room.”
The clip went viral, and the backlash was immediate.
Players Speak Out
Gauff wasn’t alone. Top stars including Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula all voiced concerns over the lack of privacy and constant surveillance players face during tournaments.
The message was simple: athletes need space to be human.
Roland Garros Responds
Amelie Mauresmo, tournament director at Roland Garros, didn’t hesitate to act upon the request.
“Players need a private area, something which will not change… No cam access.”
That means designated, camera-free zones where players can decompress without worrying about lenses or live feeds.
No Electronic Line-Calls, Bigger Prize Pool
Interestingly, the French Open is still holding its ground elsewhere.
Unlike other majors like Wimbledon and the Australian Open, Roland Garros will continue without electronic line-calling, sticking to traditional officiating methods.
Privacy isn’t the only upgrade.
French Open prize money has also been increased by about 10 per cent for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($101.5 million) — a bump-up of 5.3 million euros ($8.7 million) from 2025.
The men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive 2.8 million euros ($4.6 million) and the runners-up 1.4 million euros ($2.3 million), while semifinalists will get 750,000 euros ($1.2 million) and first-round losers 87,000 euros ($143,000).
April 22, 2026, 15:48 IST
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