The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that off-court coaching will be permitted next year, but Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov are unhappy about the decision.
In recent years, various trials have allowed off-court coaching on the ATP and WTA Tours to test how well it works and whether it should be allowed more openly.
The subject is controversial. Advocates of allowing off-court coaching argue that it creates fairness since some players attempted to receive assistance from their teams despite it not being allowed.
Examples include when Serena Williams was penalized for receiving coaching during the 2018 US Open final, leading to the 23-time Grand Slam calling the umpire Carlos Ramos a thief. This act led to her being docked a game.
Another infamous case was Daniil Medvedev raging at the umpire during his 2022 Australian Open semifinal against Stefanos Tsitsipas for allowing the Greek to receive coaching from his father without being penalized.
Those who oppose off-court coaching feel that players being on their own and having to solve problems themselves is part of what makes tennis unique and that the sport will lose some of its essence if it is allowed.
Traditionalists will not be happy with the latest developments. The ITF announced that off-court coaching will be introduced in 2025 after a majority vote from National Association delegates at the 2024 ITF AGM.
Next year, players can freely receive coaching between sets and at the change of sets. The ITF allows Grand Slams, the ATP, and the WTA to decide if coaching at other times is allowed, except between points.
The coaching given can be verbal or with hand signals, but any coaching allowed between points must be brief and discreet to not disrupt the flow of play, especially for the server.
The ITF believes the move will make the sport fairer and more interesting and could reduce strain on umpires trying to stop coaching. However, Fritz, who recently confessed to feeling awful, hit out at the move on social media.
"Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport PLEASE."
Many fans are concerned that players will not have to show the same mentality when struggling if coaching is allowed, and Fritz feels that permitting off-court assistance could ruin that aspect of the sport.
Denis Shapovalov, who is still angry about his default at the Citi Open, also criticized the move. The Canadian feels being alone on the court without external help is part of the beauty of tennis.
Not just as a tennis player but as a fan of this sport it’s sad to see this new off court coaching rule. Tennis is special because you are out there alone. Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game."
The ITF's decision is certain to split opinion among players, analysts, and fans. How the new rules allowing open coaching will be applied at Grand Slams and on the ATP and WTA Tours remains to be seen.