Texas WTA Event Unveils ‘Rage Room’ After Gauff Incident

By Eppe Franklyne

• ATX Open introduces private space for players to vent
• Move follows Coco Gauff’s racket-smashing moment in Melbourne
• Djokovic, Swiatek had called for more off-court privacy

A WTA tournament in Texas has unveiled a “rage room” to allow players release frustration away from cameras after Coco Gauff’s racket-smashing outburst at the Australian Open sparked debate over privacy at events.

Following her 59-minute quarterfinal defeat to Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, Gauff smashed her racket repeatedly in the match call area, unaware the moment was being broadcast worldwide.

The incident prompted calls for greater off-court privacy from players including Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek.

In response, the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, introduced what it described as the first-of-its-kind rage room, a camera-free environment where players can safely express emotions.

“Introducing the ATX Open rage room — the first of its kind — where players can privately express frustration or emotion in a safe, camera-free environment,” the WTA 250 event posted on social media. The announcement included a sign reading “don’t smile” and “count to three” beside a broken racket.

While many online reactions were positive, some critics questioned whether the initiative might encourage physical displays of anger.

Elsewhere, organizers of the Dubai Tennis Championships set up a “Smash Room” truck for fans, inviting China’s Shang Juncheng to test it publicly.

“I smashed a few items, including DVDs and big containers,” Shang said. “It’s loud and intense, but in a good way. You get everything out of your system instead of taking that frustration onto the court.”