Tennis to trial on-court coaching

The WTA Tour will experiment with on-court coaching at this week's Rogers Cup in Montreal and next week in New Haven, but some leading players are not convinced it will enhance the sport's entertainment value.

The tour will allow players to call a coach on to the court once each set during changeovers and between sets.

Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams are leading the opposition to the changes, saying players should be able to fight their own tactical battles on court.
Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova says on-court coaching is already happening and has accused rival players of "cheating".

Players will also be allowed to call coaches on court if their opponent takes a medical timeout, bathroom break or walks off court to change her clothes.

"I think it will add more personality to the game, having the coaches more visible to the fans and to the media," said Russia's Nadia Petrova.

Elena Dementieva, who is coached by her mother, agrees.

"I think it will be interesting to see the coaches come down and see what they say, but I don't think I will have my mother come," she said.

"I'm already with her 24/7 and it's the only time I get a break from her."

World No.2 Clijsters, the top seed in Montreal, believes part of a player's strength is the ability to cope with situations without outside assistance.

"I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but it's a rule I'm absolutely against," she said.

"Part of being a tennis player is being able to solve things yourself."

Seven-times grand slam champion Serena Williams echoed Clijsters, even though she admitted that there were times she could have used a sound piece of advice.

"I don't like it," Serena said.

"I think it takes away from tennis. When I'm out there, I've done all the hard work.

"It takes away from the integrity of the sport."

Maria Sharapova is taking a wait-and-see approach.

Sharapova's father and head coach, Yuri, is one of the most intense and animated personalities on tour.

"It will be funny when you see an opponent calling for a coach because you'll just want to laugh, they'll be in trouble," Sharapova said.

"I usually play on instinct and don't like to be told what to do, so calling for someone will be very rare."

Hantuchova says allowing on-court coaching will only formalise what is currently going on in the stands.

"The cheating is out of control," she said.

"I've gone up to umpires during matches and said, how come you can't hear this when I can.

"There are signals and words instructing the players. I've complained about it but it doesn't matter."


I totally agree with Kim, Serena and Dani :ok:

I bet Yuri will be loving this, he's probably the worst offender :rolleyes:

yeah LDF, i agree with those 3, tennis is an individual sport and should be played acordingly :ok:

Kim, Serena and Daniella have it right. Elena has a great view aswell.

Elena's view is fantastic!! She just keeps on going up in my estimation :)

Yip.. agreed with Daniela at al.. am against it.

What a stupid rule, its meant to be about the player not the coach!