Depression candy and death stares: inside the secret world of the tennis locker room

Coco Gauff, Belinda Bencic and Jannik Sinner give an insight into what really goes on behind the scenes in the loneliest communal space in sport

Back in the locker room after a successful first-round performance at the Australian Open in January, Coco Gauff caught a glimpse of a friendly face across the room. The player was scoffing sweets soon after a match, prompting Gauff to joke things must have gone well for her on court.

That laughter was not returned, for the player was stewing after a miserable day on court: “They were, like, ‘No, this is depression candy,’” says Gauff, wincing.