Nick Kyrgios not impressed with ATP’s decision to trial off-court coaching: Beauty of tennis gone

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios on Wednesday, June 22 said he is not impressed with ATP’s decision to trial off-court coaching from the second half of the ongoing season. Krygios argued that the beauty of the sport wherein players figured out their own way once they stepped on the court is being taken away by the decision from the governing body of men’s tennis.

The ATP will trial off-court coaching in the second half of the year. Players will be allowed to receive instructions and tips from their coaches during the tournament, including qualifying and main draw even at major events, including the US Open and the ATP Finals.

Kyrgios’ comments came after Patrick Mouratoglou, who coached Serena Williams and now coaches Simona Halep, congratulated the ATP for legalising a practice that has been going on at almost every match for decades”.

“Completely disagree. Loses one of the only unique traits that no other sport had,” Kyrgios said in a social media post, responding to Mouratoglou’s tweet.

“The player had to figure out things on his own. That was the beauty of it. What happens if a high profile player versus a low ranked player who doesn’t have or (cannot) afford a coach?”

Completely disagree. Loses one of the only unique traits that no other sport had. The player had to figure out things on his own. That was the beauty of it. What happens if a high profile player versus a low ranked player who doesn’t have or afford a coach?

– Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) June 22, 2022

Mouratoglou was involved in an infamous incident of off-court coaching — which was initially not permitted at Grand Slams — at the 2018 US Open final when Williams was given a warning for a coaching violation. He gestured from the stands during Serena’s match against Naomi Osaka, later defending his act and stressing he would do it again.