Full support for coaching facing 2025
The coaching regulation will be updated starting from January 1, 2025. Below, we review the most important changes to the rule.
Since a few years ago when coaching was first allowed at some professional circuit events, the rule has been expanding each season following positive feedback and general acceptance by the players. Seeing that this new model is here to stay, the top international bodies, including the ITF, have come together to embrace this rule wholeheartedly, now accepting it for any individual match and making some changes for the upcoming season. The outcome? Coaching in tennis is more alive than ever, supported by the following principles.
- Aligning coaching approaches in international tennis regulatory bodies.
- Reducing the influence of referees to monitor the current coaching restrictions.
- Reducing subjectivity in the implementation of the current coaching restrictions.
- Supporting player development.
- Making tennis fairer and more entertaining.
After many years of debate, coaching has been defined as an act of communication, advice, or instruction of any kind and by any means to serve the player. Starting on January 1, 2025, these are the changes that will be implemented on the circuit:
- Coaching from outside the court will be allowed at events played under tennis rules and their corresponding bodies.
- In team events where the captain is on the court, this person will have the option to coach as many times as allowed by the governing body.
- In other competitions, coaching on the court will not be permitted.
- Sanctioning bodies will permit players to access approved analysis technology at times when coaching is allowed.
How will coaching be regulated in different events? We also have the list you were looking for.
- Coaching will be allowed between points and during changeovers, but never while the point is in play.
- For coaching outside and inside the court between points, communication must be verbal when the player and coach are on the same side of the court, or through signals when coaching is allowed.
- Coaching outside and inside the court during points should be brief and discreet, except during game breaks.
HAPPY WITH THE CHANGE
Certainly, the most romantic and classically minded individuals may think that this change has not brought anything good, that it has compromised the essence of a sport where there were never any external aids... until the day we all knew would come arrived. In favor? Against? If we listen to the authoritative voices, they all joyfully approve of this new reality. Stuart Miller, senior executive director within the ITF, confesses the widespread approval that this rule has received.
“This change has been happening since 2017. People who have been following the sport, particularly in these last two years, will have seen all kinds of actions during the game, including within the ITF circuit, ATP, WTA, and all the Grand Slams. We have collected feedback from all stakeholders, including players, coaches, and referees. Players have felt a positive development; they feel that tournaments are now more interesting for them. Coaches have stated that this helps improve their professional position. Regarding referees, all have said that it enhances their ability to focus on monitoring the game and making the right decisions, forgetting whether the coach is following the rules or not. All parties have welcomed the rule with satisfaction and support the change positively,” he evaluated in statements reported by the ITF.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Apoyo total al coaching de cara a 2025