Jannik Sinner finds no problem with off-court coaching because he doesn’t “see any big upheavals”
Amid the uproar against the ITF announcing that off-court coaching will be allowed from 2025, Jannik Sinner has shared his views in support.
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Jannik Sinner (Image via AP)
Ever since the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that off-court coaching will be allowed from the 2025 season, a debate about the fairness of the decision has started. While the likes of Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov have protested against the decision, World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has expressed his support.
Contrary to the people against the decision, the two-time Grand Slam champion feels that it will not cause any big change. To back his statement, Sinner claimed that the players and their coaches already communicate during their matches, and this off-court coaching rule will not make any big difference.
The Italian ace feels that despite the inputs from their coaches, it will be the players who are left to do the job on the court. Sinner does not feel this new rule will take away the individuality from the sport.
I don’t think it’s going to change much. There are coaches who still give advice sometimes. I think this sport is still an individual sport. You’re always alone on the court when you play. There’s always a connection with the coach and you understand what he wants to talk about by his behavior. I don’t think it’s going to change much.
Jannik Sinner during a press conference in Paris-Bercy (H/T: We Love Tennis)
Sinner further explained what he meant by players and coaches communicating despite no coaching allowed. The 23-year-old said that having worked with the coaches, players get the message their coaches want to convey.
Jannik Sinner cites example when no coaching was allowed
Jannik Sinner claimed that this decision from the ITF to allow off-court coaching won’t affect any drastic change. He cited the example of the time when no coaching was allowed.
The reigning US Open champion said that just like the no-coaching rule slipped effortlessly, this off-court coaching will also fit, and there will be no “big upheaval”.
We didn’t see any big upheavals when there was no coaching at all because we watch the coach. When you watch him, you understand right away because we’re used to it, we’ve been with him for years, we know what he means. We’ll see. I don’t think it will be a big upheaval.
Jannik Sinner said
Amid the opposition, the ITF says the move will make tennis “fairer and, potentially, more entertaining”. Notably, the new changes mean that coaches can issue advice either verbally or via hand signals at any time, except during the playing of a point. Coaching must be “brief and discreet”, other than during breaks in play.
The decision on whether to implement the rule changes will be under the jurisdiction of the sanctioning body of each individual tournament or event.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)