In the wake of a dramatic US Open women’s final that took place in September, grand slams are contemplating implementing on-court coaching in tournaments. Although some could argue that it is time to get rid of it all together.
Serena Williams’ infamous clash with umpire Carlos Ramos at Flushing Meadows started when she received a warning for coaching. Something the 23-time grand slam champion denied. Although her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted afterwards during an interview with ESPN that he was. Remarks that Williams later played down.
In the aftermath of the controversy, some have called for coaching during matches to be allowed in order to prevent such an incident happening again. It is currently only allowed on the WTA Tour. The governing body of women’s tennis implemented on-court coaching in 2009 in a bid to make matches more engaging for viewers. Proving a reasonable hit with both players and fans.
“It is good to have on-court coaching. I have no problems with it. But it will be OK if it is not there anymore.” World No.1 Simona Halep told reporters in Moscow. “For me it does not matter that much. But personally, for me a coach on-court helps a lot.”
Critics of the approach argue that there is no point having such a rule, if it isn’t applied throughout the entire tour. Both the Australian Open and Wimbledon have said that they are open to looking into the topic. Although it is unclear as to if it would come to fruition next year.
“We’re getting the global governing bodies — the ATP, WTA and ITF — and the grand slams together to talk about our approach to coaching,” Said Australian Open director Craig Tiley.
“I think it’s really important that it’s consistent so fans and players don’t get confused on it so hopefully in the coming weeks we are able to make an announcement on our position.”
As it currently stands, the US Open is the only only major to allow coaching from the stands. Although this is only applied to the juniors tournaments and qualifying rounds.
Former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko has previously been hit with a coaching violation at a grand slam. The Latvian was given a warning during her fourth round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich at Wimbledon earlier this year. Ostapenko said afterwards that she was ‘motivated and angry’ by the punishment.
“I don’t know if there is any point of using it (on-court coaching) on the WTA Tour if you can’t use it in grand slams because in grand slams you have to play on your own.” Ostapenko said during the Korean Open.
“I think they need to do same in all the tournaments. Either allow (on-court) coaching at all tournaments or no coaching at all.” She added.
What about the men?
Should the grand slams change their policy, it would also affect the men. On the ATP World Tour the only example of on-court mentoring being used during matches was in last year’s ATP Next Gen Finals. Where players could communicate with their coaches via headset in English. An initiative that has been described as ‘uncomfortable’ by Karen Khachanov, who participated in that tournament.
“It was uncomfortable, because we had to talk to each other in English. For Koreans, for example, it was totally uncomfortable, they did not even understand each other.” Said Khachanov.
“If we have coaching, then it should be in your native language and addressed only to the player and not being broadcast to the audience.”
French Open finalist Dominic Thiem has also voiced his opposition. The world No.7 believes that it would add no extra value to the tour. Although Thiem has called for coaches to be allowed to display signals to their players from the box during matches. Something that Williams was penalised for at the US Open.
“I think on the women’s tour, it’s interesting, but I wouldn’t like to see it on the men’s tour because — I don’t know. It was a very long time now that it was very good without it, so it should stay this way.” He said.
“But what I would change is that the coach could show some signs from the box and you don’t get a penalty for that. I think this would be really good and also fine for everybody.”
Some women players have also dismissed calls for the ATP follow the same path as their female counterparts. Former world No.8 Ekaterina Makarova said such move would be ‘unnecessary’ because ‘boys are strong.’ The Russian was referring the mentality of players on the men’s tour.
The Australian Open is set to make a decision about the use of on-court coaching at their tournament later this year. Should they give it the green light, it could create a precedent for the other three grand slams to follow.
