At recent tournaments, tunnel cameras have captured moments players consider too personal for broadcast. At the Australian Open, Coco Gauff was filmed smashing her tennis racket backstage after her loss to Elina Svitolina, as reported by Daily Express - Sport. These cameras were widely used at both the US Open and the Australian Open, according to the same source.
Carlos Alcaraz has expressed discomfort with the practice, supporting Gauff's view on the invasive nature of the cameras, Daily Express - Sport reports. According to Daily Express - Sport, Alcaraz described the cameras as excessive, noting that players constantly feel watched and lack spaces to relax without being filmed. It remains unclear whether tennis broadcasters plan to change their use of tunnel cameras in response to these complaints or if other players beyond Alcaraz, Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka have voiced similar concerns.
For the fans, it's great. They love to see what happens behind the scenes, what we do, how the facilities are inside the tournaments. But for the players, it's a bit strange because we no longer have a place to relax, as we are constantly thinking that there are cameras and everyone is watching us. Having cameras so close, being able to see what we are seeing on our phones, seems excessive to me. Already, we don't have much privacy in tournaments. I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed.
The specific policies governing camera placement in tournaments and how fans have reacted to these backstage broadcasts are also unknown, as is any response from tournament organizers to players' requests for more private areas.
I tried to go somewhere where there was no cameras. I kind of have a thing with the broadcast. I feel like certain moments – the same thing happened to Aryna [Sabalenka] after I played her in final of US Open – I feel like they don’t need to broadcast. Maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room. I don’t want to lash out on my team. They’re good people. They don’t deserve that, and I know I’m emotional. I don’t try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that.