Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of a Wimbledon warm-up but it hasn’t stopped him from hitting out at tennis’ latest rule change.
Nick Kyrgios has vehemently opposed the latest rule change in tennis. The ATP has legalised coaching during matches in the second half of the season, allowing players to get in-match advice from their coaches for tournaments starting the week of July 11.
Kyrgios replied to top tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou who welcomed the ATP's initiative, expressing his dissent at the change. The Australian player believes that allowing off-court coaching negates one of the most unique aspects of the sport - that of a player's ability being tested to find his own way during matches.
He also highlighted a major concern that would arise if one of the two players during a match did not have a coach.
"Completely disagree. It loses one of the unique traits that no other sport has. 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?" said Kyrgios, replying to Mouratoglou.
@pmouratoglou Completely disagree. It loses one of the unique traits that no other sport has. 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?
Patrick Mouratoglou, who coached Serena Williams but now coaches Simona Halep, says off-court coaching has been going on "at almost every match for decades".
Kyrgios has vocally opposed the rule change and believes tennis is being stripped of a "unique trait".
"Completely disagree. Loses one of the unique traits that no other sport had," Kyrgios replied to Mouratoglou's tweet.
"The player had to figure out things on his own. That was the beauty of it.
Australian tennis great and commentator Todd Woodbridge also replied to Mouratoglou's stance on Twitter, saying: "This is so disappointing to see that such a high-profile coach blatantly admits that he has broken the rules of our sport for so long.