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via Getty

On-court coaching is something that was heavily frowned upon in tennis for quite a long time. Players would receive warnings or violations if they took instructions from their coaches during a match. But a change in rules this year has allowed hand signals and some talking between the players and their guides. Novak Djokovic is one of the many players who expressed his happiness at the recent change.

While Djoker is quite happy with the change, another member of the big three has spoken out against it rather openly. Roger Federer remained adamant about his opposition to the concept of on-court coaching during his time as an active player. Regardless of his opinions, the Djoker is happy with the changes.

Novak Djokovic welcomes the incorporation of on-court coaching

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Relishing his return to the US Open, the Djoker is playing his best and destroying each player in his path. Currently, the winner of round 2, Novak Djokovic, gave an interview after his match. He talked about his return to the country and discussed some changes that were implemented recently. One reporter asked him about on-court coaching in tennis and its relation to basketball.

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Happy with the new change, Djokovic said it differed from basketball because players could go to the bench or to the court whenever they wanted. In tennis, it is quite limited. 

I would want to see. Honestly, you know, a possibility of — I’m actually supportive of on-court coaching or headset communication, whatever ways of getting more coaching. I think it’s good for the audience. It’s good for the player. I understand that there are some, you know, opponents of this, you know, coaching rule that are saying. Yeah, you’re a tennis player, individual athlete, so you have to figure things out by yourself.

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He further explained that matters would remain the same. The Serbian explained how players would have to figure it out regardless of the instructions they receive from their respective coaches. 

Well, you have to figure them out anyway, even if the coach comes in, say, in a set break or whatever, and you talk, you still have to play yourself, right? There is no substitution. But yeah, I’m actually happy that we are able now to freely communicate rather than hiding from a chair umpire or supervisor like we did for many years. So it’s good, I’m supportive of that.”

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Although the Serbian is elated at these changes, another Wimbledon legend was completely against the idea.

Roger Federer against on-court instructions

Many voices have spoken out against the implementation of coaching during a match. Roger Federer was one of the constant voices who did not like the idea of receiving instructions while playing. As per the Swiss Maestro, tennis is an individual sport, and the players should be able to figure out the necessities for themselves instead of relying on their coach.

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Along with Federer, his former coach, Ivan Ljubičić, is also against the idea. But now that it has become legal, he has accepted it. What are your opinions on such a kind of coaching? Do you agree with Federer or Djokovic? Let us know in the comments section below.

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