In tennis, you stand face-to-face with your enemy, all by yourself! Even the rules forbid the player to talk to his coaches while on the court other than hand gestures. Well, it changed in October last year by International Tennis Federation (ITA) when wanted to relax the rules by introducing ‘coaching pods’. And since last year’s Davis Cup, the move has been under heavy scrutiny. And now, to shed some light on behalf of coaching aspects, veteran French tennis coach and sports commentator Patrick Mouratoglou shared his remarks on the same.

The coaching pods first came to light when ITA first announced it in October last year. And the reason for it? To establish easier regulations regarding coaching, players can now receive guidance during matches. The updated regulation allows coaches to verbally communicate or use hand signals with players at any time, except during live gameplay. The box will also have seats of four and has been set up with a screen for live statistical analysis and a cooling mechanism for coaches who decide to sit out the Melbourne heat. That’s not all! Coaches may utilize the stands or players’ boxes for observation, while players can similarly access identical statistical analyses within the pods to modify in-game plans. Patrick Mouratoglou, the coach of Naomi Osaka, has now provided his opinion on these divisive additions, just after Naomi’s Australian Open exit. 

Mouratoglou took to his Instagram and posted a video, saying, “The coaching box at the @australianopen was a major shift in the way tennis is played and showed up to people. Coaching needed to take his place in the sport and I am happy to be part of such an era. But probably the job is not finished: now let’s make sure that we hear all the conversations,”. He also elaborated on the importance of recognizing the coach’s work for a player through the video. 

“I am very happy that the Australian Open was the first Grand Slam to kind of officialize the work of the coaches. Tennis is the only sport that didn’t recognise coaching. You know they’re not able to do their job, doing matches, and they’re in the crowd. They are not supposed to talk, not supposed to move. First step was the recognition of coaching. And the next step, which is a big step, is to put the coaches and the team on the court. The coaches start to have exposure to become recognisable. They become potentially a brand, which will help them to make a better living. The only players of coaches are against it in a few years they will think it’s great. Coaching is part of sport,” he added. But that’s not all Mouratoglou said!

The French coach also took footage of Novak Djokovic’s post-match press conference where he added, “Someone from your opponent’s team might be watching text the team member 10 sec later you’ll have the information. That’s the part I don’t like,”. Well, the coach seemed to differ from Novak this time as he added his views against it. 

“I agree with Novak. Most of the time and I respect his opinion. But I think at some point, he is very conservative and it makes no sense because, again, what Andy Murray could tell Novak during a match if I don’t hear it but Novak applies it I will see it. All the information are shared and seen and obvious! I’m excited to be coaching in an era where there are so many important changes, and I guess the next one is to be miked up. That people who watch TV or who watch matches have feedback about what’s happening on the court. What the players respond, give a lot of inside information. That is so interesting for the fans, so I cannot wait for that happen in the coming years,” Mouratoglou added. 

Although the pod is new in tennis, the views from veteran French coach Mouratoglou will surely help shape its image in the upcoming days. However, it’s addition continues to divide criticism. Not all the players appreciated the intrusive presence on the court right away, and one player voiced his experience out loud.

Players and AO chief Craig Tiley reflect on the introduction of pods

Mixed reactions all together! The introduction of court-side ‘coaching pods’ at this year’s AO has been a major inclusion since the ITA announced it in October. Positioned in two corners, it has been on a trial period at the Davis Cup last year, followed by the United Cup at the start of the season. Even though it’s a ‘brief’ and ‘discreet’ action, AO chief Craig Tiley acknowledged his initial ‘scepticism’ towards coaches about the pods.

“We tested it this week, and some coaches were a bit sceptical at first, but then they sat down and said, this is great. I think we’re going to find much more than the majority will actually sit on the court. You have a great sight line of your player after every point. When they come and get their towel, you can talk to them, so you’re almost, in effect, able to coach your player after each point, if you want to. Very different views in our sport on whether the coach should be allowed on the court or not,” Tiley told the Melbourne Age. However, apart from the organizer, not all the players have the same opinion regarding the pods.

World No. 2 Alexander Zverev who added, “There’s innovation in all sports. Tennis is getting innovation as well. I’m not sure what kind of innovation that is. But we’re moving forward, the world is moving forward and that’s the way it is,”. Similarly, former world No. 10 Denis Shapovalov also added his remarks, mostly criticizing it previously. “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?” he added on his X handle.

As the comments from players and coaches are coming along regarding the initiative, what’s your take on the same? Do you believe this initiative is helping the players? Or is it dampening the quality of tennis? Share your thoughts below!