WTA Austin Open Introduces ‘Don’t Smile’ Room for Player Privacy

Feb 26, 2026, 11:56 ET – The WTA Austin Open is pioneering a new approach to athlete mental health with the introduction of a dedicated “rage room,” dubbed “Don’t Smile.” This initiative provides a private, camera-free space for players to release frustration and manage emotions away from the public eye.

Addressing Athlete Pressure and Privacy Concerns

The creation of this space stems from growing concerns about the intense pressure athletes face to maintain a consistently positive public image. This issue gained prominence following an incident at the Australian Open involving Coco Gauff, where she was filmed smashing her racket after a quarterfinal loss to Elina Svitolina. Gauff expressed her frustration at being filmed in what she believed was a private moment, stating, “I don’t like people seeing me like that and I hid in a place where I thought there would be no cameras.”

The Incident at the Australian Open

During the Australian Open, cameras captured Gauff repeatedly destroying her racket after her defeat. The resulting viral footage sparked a debate about athlete privacy and the lack of secure spaces for emotional release Tennis365. Players like Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek voiced support for increased privacy, with Swiatek famously comparing the constant observation to being animals in a zoo Tennis365.

How the ‘Don’t Smile’ Room Works

The “Don’t Smile” room at the ATX Open offers players a confidential environment to express their emotions without fear of judgment or recording. Players can vent their frustrations through various means, such as yelling or safely breaking objects, in a space free from cameras Tennis Tonic.

Addressing Gendered Expectations in Tennis

The initiative also aims to address gender prejudices within the sport, recognizing that displays of temper are often more harshly criticized in women’s tennis than in the men’s game News18. The name “Don’t Smile” directly challenges the societal expectation that female athletes should always present a cheerful demeanor, regardless of the intensity of competition or the outcome of a match.

Looking Ahead

The ATX Open’s implementation of a “rage room” could serve as a model for other tournaments, potentially leading to wider adoption of similar initiatives across the WTA tour. This move signifies a growing recognition of the importance of mental health support and privacy for athletes in high-pressure environments.