After Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov & others go "up in arms" against new controversial off-court coaching rules, 2-time Davis Cup champ counters
Two-time Davis Cup champion Paul McNamee has countered criticism from the likes of Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov regarding the International Tennis Federation's recent decision to approve off-court coaching. The approval is very likely to result in coaches getting more involved during matches. While Fritz and Shapovalov have opposed it, McNamee believes that it will benefit players, especially those struggling in the lower levels of the sport.
Earlier this month, the ITF announced that from 1 January 2025, off-court coaching will be allowed at all events operated by the ATP, the WTA, and the ITF. Under the new rules, coaches can now talk to players between points, at set breaks, and during change of ends. On-court coaching will be allowed between points as well but must be "brief and discreet," according to a detailed explanation released by the ITF.
While the ITF has stated that its decision stems from positive feedback from off-court coaching trials that have been going on since 2017 at various levels, Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov are two prominent names who don't see eye-to-eye with it. Fritz, the current World No. 6 and 2024 US Open finalist, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport PLEASE"
Shapovalov, a former World No. 10, also expressed his dissatisfaction about the new rules. He wrote on X,
"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"
Recently, Australian former doubles No. 1 and two-time Davis Cup champion Paul McNamee weighed in with his opinion on the approval of off-court coaching from the beginning of 2025. The 69-year-old, who is currently working as a coach across various levels of tennis, highlighted the struggles of players on the ITF Futures circuit and opined that they would benefit from the new rules.
McNamee wrote on X,
"Many players up in arms that @ITFTennis have now approved off court coaching, as occurs now at ATP & WTA events. I coach at all of the above, and can say the ITF Futures level, where players are struggling both on & off the court, is where coaching is most needed. I’m in favour"
Later, in a candid exchange with a fan on X, Taylor Fritz shared a "joke," regarding trials being carried out on the ATP Tour that are later made permanent rules.
"Call it a trial so people don't freak out" - Taylor Fritz
A fan on X commented on Taylor Fritz's post critical of the new off-court coaching rule and opined that it's nothing but a codification of the trials that have been in effect on the ATP Tour since 2022. The World No. 6 took notice of the user's comment and responded to it.
Fritz shared a joke that he said was common between him and his team members, which suggests that the ATP Tour uses the word "trial" whenever there's a new permanent rule about to be imposed.
Fritz wrote,
"I have a joke w my team that "trial basis" in ATP terms just means it's a new permanent rule but call it a trial so people don't freak out... We been on this trial for 2 years I guess now, kinda proves my point."
Taylor Fritz's last outing came at the 2024 Rolex Shanghai Masters, where he reached the semifinals before losing to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic.