Reigning ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas has said he believes there is no need for the men’s tour to follow the example set by their female counterparts concerning making changes to rules around coaching.
Earlier this year the WTA announced that they will trail coaching from the stands. Where coaches are allowed to make signals to players throughout matches without being penalised for doing so. The move comes just over a year after the 2018 US Open final between Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka was marred by the American receiving a code violation for receiving coaching from the stands. A decision that prompted outrage from Williams on the court.
“The WTA has always embraced the opportunity to introduce new technology and innovations to enhance women’s tennis, and we’re excited to see where these trials take the sport,” said WTA chief executive officer Steve Simon. “We’re hopeful these provisional changes will have a positive impact in improving the overall playing environment and upgrading the way fans can enjoy the WTA Tour.”
However, the motion of a similar approach being made on the men’s tour, where on-court coaching remains prohibited except the Next Gen Finals, remains unlikely. World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas said such a change could lead to the lower ranked players on the tour having a disadvantage.
“I quite like tennis the way it is right now. I think the player is the one who should be trying to find solutions when he’s playing.” He said during an interview The Times of India.
“I feel like if certain players can afford better coaches, it’s going to be the battle of the coaches, not so much the battle of the players. That’s what makes the sport pure the way it is right now.”
Tsitsipas is currently guided on the tour by his father Apostolos Tsitsipas. He also receives guidance from Patrick Mouratoglou, who is one of the biggest supporters of on-coach coaching. In a recent social media post the Frenchman wrote ‘Tennis is one of the only sports not to encourage coaching. It is time for modernity.’
My position about the new WTA coaching rule that will start in Dubai 2020. pic.twitter.com/aCjJQvQ4E3
— Patrick Mouratoglou (@pmouratoglou) February 6, 2020
Whilst there has been no indication from the ATP that they plan to change their rules, another governing body in the sport is more open about such a move. The International Tennis Federation is said to be ‘monitoring the WTA’s coaching data in 2020.’ They have previously trialled on-court coaching at junior events.
“I think that often when you have changed, you have different sides of the argument. Some people don’t like it. Some people do like it,” ITF president David Haggerty told Reuters during the Australian Open in January.
“I think there are places for it. I believe very strongly that in Davis Cup and Fed Cup the captain coaching on court is a key part of the competition. But that’s a team environment. An individual may be a little bit different.
“I think our role is to make sure that we work with all the various bodies and then work together to make a smart decision.”
Tsitsipas will return to action next week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. So far this season he has won the Open 13 in France and finished runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
