“Terrible idea” – Kyrgios responds to Tsitsipas rule change suggestion
Nick Kyrgios has branded the proposal by Stefanos Tsitsipas that a major coaching rule change should be made a “terrible idea”.
World number four Tsitsipas thinks players should be able to receive coaching “on every point” during matches. On-court coaching is not allowed on the ATP Tour and at Grand Slams.
At WTA Tour events, players are allowed to request on-court coaching once per set, while coaching from the stands was also trialed in 2020.
After Tsitsipas expressed his opinion on Twitter, Kyrgios reacted to a Tennis TV post featuring some of the 22-year-old’s quotes on Instagram.
Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis. The sport needs to embrace it. We’re probably one of the only global sports that doesn’t use coaching during the play. Make it legal. It's about time the sport takes a big step forward.
— Stefanos Tsitsipas (@steftsitsipas) July 18, 2021
“I usually don’t mind his (Tsitsipas’) ideas, but this one is terrible,” the Australian commented – before the Greek replied: “I’ll get you a coach, don’t worry about that.”
World number 56 Kyrgios then responded: “Seemed to have done fine without one against you my guy haha, but the beauty of tennis is to go out there alone.
“Some people choose not to have a coach, some people can’t afford a coach. On the tennis court it’s a level playing field. I think it’s the beauty of the sport.”
Tsitsipas accepted the point, but continued to make his case – saying: “True. I get your point but let me remind you that the majority of tennis coaches are actually coaching on court, despite the rules.
“Why should there be a punishment or a penalty rule for a coach that feels the need to talk or give advice?”
https://www.atptour.com/en/players/atp-head-2-head/stefanos-tsitsipas-vs-nick-kyrgios/TE51/KE17
