World number six Taylor Fritz said the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) decision to allow off-court coaching from 2025 would ruin the one v one strategic and mental elements of the game.
The ITF announced on Monday that off-court coaching will be allowed from January 1 following a decision made at the governing body’s annual general meeting this month.
It said the change would make tennis ‘fairer and, potentially, more entertaining’.
Off-court coaching had already been implemented on a trial basis in all four Grand Slams as well as the ATP and WTA tours since 2023.
US Open finalist Fritz had previously been critical of off-court coaching and expressed his displeasure with the rule change in a post on X on Monday, writing: ‘Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport PLEASE.’
Former world number 10 Denis Shapovalov said the decision to allow off-court coaching was ‘sad to see’ as a fan of the sport.
‘Tennis is special because you are out there alone. Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game,’ the Canadian posted on X.
