BREAKING: Off-court coaching to be permitted in tennis from 2025
Many current tennis players and tennis experts have expressed disapproval on this new development in tennis.
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There is big news in tennis: off-court coaching will be allowed starting in 2025. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that the trial for this new rule will begin in the second half of the season, including the US Open. Coaches must stay in their assigned seats and can only give verbal coaching when their players are on the same side of the court.
Coaching in tennis has always been a debated topic. The line between encouragement and coaching has often been unclear in men’s tennis. Umpires are sometimes hesitant to stop what looks like obvious communication between players and their coaches. This has caused complaints from opponents and discussions among fans.
The new ITF rule marks a significant change in tennis. Some believe it is long overdue. The key difference here is that the coaching will be off-court, unlike in the WTA Tour, where coaches can come to the court to speak with their players at specific moments.
BREAKING:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 21, 2024
Off-court coaching will be allowed from 2025.
Currently, off-court coaching is only allowed in team events.
This will be the first time where off-court coaching will be permitted for all individual matches.
“The rules of tennis committee felt this particular… pic.twitter.com/GNx8QwDk3q
Even with this new rule, there is still some uncertainty. The way the rules are written leaves room for interpretation. How strictly they will be enforced is still something to watch.
Denis Shapovalov leads disapproval of off-court coaching in tennis
The news that off-court coaching will be allowed in tennis has surprised many people in the sport. One of the strongest critics of this change is Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov.
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.
Denis Shapovalov wrote on X
Shapovalov has been involved in several controversies this season. In Washington, he lost to Ben Shelton in a match that ended controversially after he exchanged informal words with the crowd. Later, during an umpiring dispute at the Western and Southern Open involving Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Draper, Shapovalov took to X to criticize tennis officials, accusing them of damaging the sport’s reputation.
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
— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) October 21, 2024
Shapovalov is not the only one upset by the new rule. Tennis correspondent Christopher Clarey also expressed his disappointment. He called this decision a “sad day” for tennis.
Sad day for tennis in my view. And that the US Open is part of it makes it even sadder. Tennis does not need in-match coaching. It just thinks it does
Christopher Clarey on X
The new off-court coaching rules will have clear guidelines. Coaches must sit in the designated seats and can only provide verbal coaching when the player is on the same side of the court. Non-verbal coaching, like hand signals, is allowed at any time.
There are still restrictions. Conversations are not allowed, and coaches cannot speak to players when they leave the court. Misuse of these rules could lead to fines or penalties. The ATP previously tested off-court coaching at the NextGen ATP Finals, where players could use headsets to talk to their coaches during changeovers. Now, the focus is on giving players and coaches more freedom without using technology.
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Fahad Hamid
(679 Articles Published)