Carlos Alcaraz has become the latest player to call for more privacy at tournaments after saying there aren’t enough areas where he and his peers can’t be filmed.
The world No.1 joins a growing group on the Tour who have raised concerns about the issue, which was brought into the limelight earlier this year when Coco Gauff was filmed destroying her racket down a backstage corridor after crashing out of the Australian Open. Gauff later said that she believes certain things don’t need to be broadcast and hopes ‘some conversations’ surrounding privacy can take place.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek has previously suggested that players are sometimes treated like zoo animals and said, ‘It would be nice to have some privacy.’ Her remarks followed what happened to Gauff.
Weighing in on the debate ahead of his return to clay at the Monte Carlo Masters, Alcaraz says players are constantly thinking they are being watched on camera when at tournaments. The Spaniard is one of the sport’s most popular and successful figures currently on the Tour. So far this season, he has produced a win-loss record of 17-2, claiming titles at the Australian Open and Qatar Open.
“It’s great for the fans. They love seeing what goes on behind the scenes, what we do, and what the facilities are like at tournaments. But for the players, it’s a little strange, because we no longer have anywhere to relax—we’re constantly thinking that there are cameras and that everyone is watching us.” Alcaraz said on Sunday during his pre-tournament press conference in Monte Carlo.
The WTA, which governs the women’s Tour, have previously said calls for more privacy for players when they are not on the court are ‘completely valid.’ In tennis, there are several governing bodies, with each of the four Grand Slams having its own. This means the rules and regulations are not entirely the same everywhere in the sport. The ATP manages the men’s Tour, and the ITF are in charge of events such as the Olympics and Davis Cup.
“Having cameras so close, able to see what we’re looking at on our phones, seems excessive to me,” Alcaraz continued.
“We don’t have much privacy at tournaments to begin with, and I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed.”
On court, Alcaraz has a packed schedule ahead of him. He plans to play in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome before defending his title at the French Open. During the clay swing, he will have 4000 points to defend with rival Jannik Sinner closing in on his No.1 ranking.
“My plan is to take care of my body as much as possible during matches and tournaments,” he said.
“I really miss clay every time the season ends. It felt like an eternity. The first few sessions were about getting back into the swing of things, telling myself, ‘That’s it, it’s time to get my socks dirty again.
“Honestly, it’s an incredible feeling to be back on clay.”
Alcaraz’s first match in Monte Carlo will be against either Stan Wawrinka or Sebastian Baez.
