'Are we animals?': World No.2's complaint after upset straight sets quarter final elimination

Iga Swiatek has joined calls for more privacy to be given to players inside the grand slam arena after her backstage mishap became a meme at the Australian Open.

The world No.2's hopes of completing a career grand slam were delayed for another year after she lost her quarter final in straight sets to powerful Elena Rybakina, 7-5, 6-1.

Swiatek had made it clear throughout the tournament that she was not looking too far forward at her draw, especially considering she has not yet won a title in Melbourne.

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In fact, Swiatek has never made it past the semi final stage at the major.

But while a series of factors could be cited as a reason that impacted her game, there was one off-court moment that she wished didn't come to light.

The 24-year-old was denied access by security into the players gym on Tuesday as she had arrived to the area without her tournament accreditation.

Swiatek was seen quickly racing back down the corridor to retrieve her credentials before later returning and getting through the doors.

The Polish star was surprised to see the awkward moment surface online, linking the instant meme to the criticism Coco Gauff on Tuesday night voiced about the players' lack of privacy after her racquet smashing moment of frustration off the court was picked up by the broadcast.

"The question is, are we tennis players or are we animals in the zoo where they are observed even when they poop?" she said.

"OK, that was exaggerating obviously, but it would be nice to have some privacy.

"It would be nice to have your own process and not always be observed, without the whole world watching."

Swiatek noted that other grand slams have spaces where players can go without being seen by fans or cameras to practice prior to a match.

"It's not simple," she continued.

"We are meant to be watched on the court and in the press. That is our job. It's not our job to be a meme when you forget your accreditation.

"It is funny, for sure. People have something to talk about, but I don't think it's necessary."

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World No.4 Amanda Anisimova echoed Swiatek's feelings after losing in straight-sets to Jessica Pegula in their all-American quarter final on Wednesday.

Anisimova acknowledged that she had been aware the cameras were all around since her early years at the tournament.

"You kind of know after a couple of days that they are there," Anisimova said.

"I knew they were there so I just kept my head down and went to the locker room because I knew I was able to just be there (away from the cameras).

"There are good moments that people get to see and it's fun, but then when you lose they aren't so good moments.

"The video of Coco that was posted is tough because she didn't have a say in that. I think this deep down into the tournament, I knew I didn't have much privacy."

When it came time to reflect on her performance in Melbourne, Swiatek conceded that she wasn't able to produce her best when it counted.

She admitted she needs to work on her service game.

"The first set was tight ... and then she improved her serve in the second," Swiatek said.

"I wasn't surprised, I already had that kind of feeling against her (that she would lift her serve). My serve wasn't the best, so it was hard to keep that score even.

"I know what I need to improve, it's the same stuff that I had in my mind before the tournament. There was no breakthrough lesson (here in Melbourne)."

Looking forward to the French Open, Swiatek revealed she would be open to missing WTA 1000 tournaments to work with her team on developing her technique.

"I think, for sure, we'll skip some 1000 tournaments," she said.

"I was never in this position (in the past), so I don't know what the result will be. I think it is necessary if you want to improve your game.

"If I want to improve something, it will be nice to have some time to do that. Unfortunately, the calendar doesn't give that."

Rybakina and Pegula will face each other in the semi finals on Thursday.