Coco Gauff unsuccessful in privately breaking racquet, as AO cameras document frustration

Coco Gauff is accustomed to raising her level when the opposite side of the net requires her to do so.

On Tuesday evening, the two-time major winner couldn’t unlock that necessity against Elina Svitolina. Gauff was handily defeated by the Ukrainian, 6-1, 6-2, in 59 minutes to see her tournament end in the quarterfinal stage for the second year running.

Afterwards, the No. 3 seed thought she found an off-camera area to smash a racquet. As Gauff would learn, she was unsuccessful in the attempt to release her frustrations privately behind the scenes.

“I tried to go somewhere where they wouldn't broadcast it, but obviously they did. So, yeah, maybe some conversations can be had, because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room,” she told press.

“The same thing happened to Aryna after I played her in final of the US Open. I feel like they don't need to broadcast.”

I broke one racquet on quarters, I think, or round of 16 of the French Open. I said I would never do it again on court, because I don't feel like that's a good representation.

Gauff produced just three winners against 26 unforced errors on the day, as Svitolina capitalized on six of her seven break points to reach a maiden semifinal at Melbourne Park. The 21-year-old American downplayed any talk of miscalculating her string tension for night-time conditions, adding that the destruction of equipment was her way of getting through the disappointment and moving forward.

“I know myself, and 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,” Gauff explained.

“I just took the minute to go and do that. Yeah, I don't think it's a bad thing. I don't try to do it on court in front of kids and things like that, but I do know I need to let out that emotion. Otherwise, I'm just going to be snappy with the people around me, and I don't want to do that.”

With Gauff’s exit, either Amanda Anisimova or Jessica Pegula will leave the season’s first major as the U.S. No. 1. The two face off Wednesday when last-eight action continues.