Austin Tennis Tournament Introduces Private 'Rage Room' for Players

The ATX Open aims to provide a safe space for athletes to vent frustration without public scrutiny.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The ATX Open tennis tournament in Austin, Texas, has launched a dedicated 'rage room' where players can privately express emotions and release frustration following difficult matches. The move comes in response to growing concerns about the lack of private spaces for athletes to decompress, highlighted by an incident involving Coco Gauff at the Australian Open. The facility is designed to offer a physical outlet for the intense pressure of professional competition, though some have questioned whether it may inadvertently encourage aggressive behavior.

Why it matters

The creation of the rage room at the ATX Open reflects a broader trend in sports to address athlete mental health and provide private spaces for emotional release. This initiative aims to prioritize player well-being and privacy, which has become an increasingly important issue in professional tennis following high-profile incidents like Gauff's racket-smashing episode at the Australian Open.

The details

The ATX Open's rage room features instructions like 'don't smile' and 'count to three,' along with images of broken equipment, encouraging players to physically vent their frustrations in a safe, camera-free environment. While the concept has been met with largely positive feedback, some critics have raised concerns that providing a space for physical venting could potentially lead to more aggressive behavior.

  • The ATX Open tournament is taking place in Austin, Texas in 2026.
  • The rage room initiative was introduced ahead of the 2026 tournament.

The players

Coco Gauff

A top-ranked American tennis player who was involved in a high-profile incident at the 2026 Australian Open where she was filmed smashing her racket in what she believed was a private area.

Novak Djokovic

A professional tennis player who was among those calling for increased privacy off the court for players.

Iga Swiatek

A professional tennis player who was among those calling for increased privacy off the court for players.

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What they’re saying

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

— Shang Juncheng, Chinese tennis player (Dubai Tennis Championships)

What’s next

The ATX Open tournament organizers plan to closely monitor the usage and impact of the rage room to ensure it is effectively meeting the needs of players without unintended consequences.

The takeaway

The introduction of the private rage room at the ATX Open highlights the growing recognition of the importance of athlete mental health and the need for professional sports to provide private spaces for emotional release. While the concept is novel, it remains to be seen whether such facilities can strike the right balance between supporting players and avoiding the potential for more aggressive behavior.