http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/5181108.stm

Players will be allowed to consult their coaches on court as part of an experiment being tried out by the Women's Tennis Association.

The trial will take place at tournaments in Montreal and New Haven, Connecticut in August.

Players will be able to consult their coach once per set as well as at the end of sets.

"It will be really interesting for players and fans," said former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"I think fans will enjoy this new element and I know that as players we're interested to see how it works."

If a player takes a medical or bathroom break, only the opposing player may request her coach.

Breaks called while a set is in progress will only take place during the time allowed during changeovers, to avoid delays in play.


Personally, I'm against this - tennis is an individual sport, and it should really come down to the player on court.

What do you think?

It's the latest dumb idea from the WTA world.

Maybe they're just trying to legalize what is already happening (cough, cough, Maria, cough), but they should just stamp down and penalize it instead of this.

Tennis is a one-on-one (or two-on-two for doubles) and needs to stay that way.

I think Sony Ericcsson have a lot to do with it - trying to liven up the game and get a good return on their investment!

If they want that, make it only allowable at the end of a set AND only if you lost the set.

And not available in the QF/SF/Finals.

Still hate the idea, but if it is going to happen, make it limited.

no change for Sharapova reallyis it!? She's always got her deranged father coaching her from the stands :rolleyes:

I'm totally against this, if players get help between sets, it just undermindes the single competitve thinking that tennis is.

quiet you! roflmao

Absolute madness....but really will it make THAT big a difference?

Surely if you're good enough, you'll realise that you need to vary your tactics as you're getting thumped, and vary them accordingly.

I'm not sure on-court coaching actually may prove to be an advantage - it could well confuse further! roflmao