Wimbledon and French Open to allow on-court coaching from the stands
ATP & WTA
The organisers of Wimbledon and the French Open have reversed their former policy of not allowing on-court coaching from the stands, instead deciding to align themselves with the two other Grand Slam events and allow it.
Currently, both the Australian Open and the US Open allow rudimentary on-court coaching to be given by the a player's coaching team from the stands, while their player is in an active match.
The rule first came into effect last year, introduced by the ATP and then the WTA as part of a trial period which was then embraced long-term. Orgranisers for the Australian Open and Roland Garros decided to follow the ATP and WTA's approach, with the Australian Open trialling this rule for the first time earlier this year.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club - who are the governing body behind the organisation and running of Wimbledon each year - were initially reluctant to implement the same rule. The former Chief Executive Richard Lewis was previously quoted as saying it goes against the very spirit of tennis itself.
We are philosophically very against. We believe it is a gladiatorial sport, an individual sport; you go on court and the whole premise of tennis is that you are on your own.- Richard Lewis speaking to ESPN back in 2017
However, influential figures at the top of the AELTC have changed since six years ago and their stance towards on-court coaching appears to have softened.
This has led to a reversal in policy, with the All England Club now announcing that the rule to allow on-court coaching from the stands will be in place for this summer's Wimbledon Championships.
Organisers of Roland Garros shared a similar reluctance, with last year's French Open falling in line with the former rules regarding coaching. They too have now softened their stance, meaning all four majors are aligned.
