The International Tennis Federation (ITF) approved this Tuesday the controversial ‘coaching’ on the courtwhich will allow coaches to advise tennis players from the stands. This initiative, which will be implemented in 2025, comes after different tests have been carried out since 2017 and from 2023 in events organized by the ITF, such as the four Grand Slams, the ATP and the WTA.
According to this new rule, The coaches will be able to give instructionsboth verbal and non-verbal, at any time, except during points and must be “brief and discreet”except during breaks between games. In addition, players will be able to access tennis player analysis technology when this measure has been implemented. A measure that has generated controversy, like all new rules that change years of history.
Some tennis players, like the Canadian Denis Shapovalovhave criticized the measure for eliminating the individual character of this sport. “Not only as a tennis player, but also as a fan, it’s sad to see this new rule. Tennis is special because it is there alone. Why would you try to change the beauty of this game?“said the Canadian, who received the support of Magnus Norman, who was number two in the world, Roland Garros finalist, and later coach of Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils and Grigor Dimitrov.
According to the ITF, The goal is to make tennis “fairer and more entertaining” and will relieve pressure on chair umpires when sanctioning coaching, which until now was prohibited. Each organization, that is, ATP, WTA and ITF, may decide to use coaching in their tournaments.
