World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev says he has nothing against the ATP’s off-court coaching trial but admits he doesn’t really see how it makes a big change and impact.
Since July, players are allowed to receive verbal and non-verbal instructions from a coach, who is sitting in a designated seat.
Players are allowed to receive verbal coaching only when they are on the same end of the court, while non-verbal coaching – such as hand signals – is allowed at any time.
Medvedev on off-court coaching
“During the match, I don’t really see how a coach can help like in some other sports, where tactics are importan,” Medvedev said, per Eurosport. “When a tennis match is there, I guess it can be one match out of five where suddenly heās going to be like, āchange your position on returnā, or, āgo more to his backhandā, if he sees it from the outside. So it can be a gamechanger sometimes. At the same time, many matches it’s – letās say I play Fritz tomorrow, itās our first encounter, still I know how he plays and he knows how I play. I donāt think on-court coaching tomorrow is going to make a huge difference. But in general, Iām okay with it, like I was never against it. It’s just that the rule is that if I’m on the side, if I understand it right, he shouldn’t do it. Like the opponent’s coach and that’s what they should respect. And if not, I think it’s fine.”
Earlier this year, Medvedev lost his cool after losing the second set of his Australian Open semifinal versus Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Medvedev claimed that Tsitsipas was getting coached every single point and he was irate because he felt that the chair umpire wasn’t reacting.
That particular incident sparked conversations regarding whether or not coaching in tennis should be allowed.