(VIDEO) ATX Open introduces 'rage room' while Shang Juncheng lets out some steam in 'smash truck' as tournaments search for privacy solutions

Tennis can be a sport where frustrations rise quite quickly. If events are not turning your way, then angers can flare with rackets being smashed a common trend on court. Inspires by events and comments made this year, the ATX Open Austin and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships have both come up with different ideas to help tennis players let off some steam.

In the Australian Open, the whole world watched Coco Gauff go behind the scenes as she tried to search for a quiet spot to demolish her racket after a painful defeat to Elina Svitolina. This was seen by many people and showcased the lack of privacy many tennis players do not get in these big events.

A lot of the top players have since come out to us this as a case study for them to have more privacy with this not the only example which has come out over the years. The likes of Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek shared their thoughts on events.

"It’s really sad that you can’t move away anywhere and hide and fume out your frustration, your anger, in a way that won’t be captured by a camera," Djokovic stated in Melbourne.

"But we live in a society where content is everything. It’s a deeper discussion. It’s really hard for me to see the trend changing in the opposite direction, meaning we take out cameras. It’s only going to be as it is or even more cameras. I’m surprised we have no cameras while we’re taking a shower. That’s probably the next step."

It turns out that the tournaments have listened to the players pleas and created some areas where players can have the freedom to smash some items in peace. The ATX Open is currently going on in Texas with some players on the WTA Tour using this as a tournament to get themselves up to speed ready for the upcoming Sunshine swing, with a brace of WTA 1000 events occurring in the form of the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open.

In Austin, they are trying something new. On X, they posted a teaser to what is a 'rage room.' "Introducing the ATX Open rage room – the first of ‌its kind – where players can privately express frustration or emotion ⁠in a ⁠safe, camera-free environment," the caption read.

It encourages players not to show their true emotions in the public eye, saving it for a safe space where the world is not watching and you have the weight of pressure off your shoulders.

In Dubai, they have introduced a ‘Smash Room.' Similar to the rage room in the USA, players can get dressed in a boiler suit before going into a truck and smashing some items with heavy tools. Another way for players to let off some steam and anger.

Shang Juncheng was one of the first to try it out, and he was in full praise of the invention. "It was a really fun experience," the Chinese tennis player stated. "You don’t get to do something like this very often, so it was great to try it out. It helps release energy and clear your head before going on court. I smashed a few items, including some DVDs and big containers. It’s loud and intense, but in a good way - you get everything out your system in there instead of taking that frustration on to the court."

The experience helped him a lot. "I think it helps you feel lighter," Shang continued. "As long as you stay in control when you’re playing, it’s a nice way to unwind. I’d never done anything like this before, so it was a great experience."