Coaching at Grand Slams: Stephens for rule change

“I think there should be a little change in the rule,” said the American on Saturday before the WTA final in Singapore. So far, coaching during a game has been allowed in WTA tournaments, but not in the four majors.

“I think there’s a lot of coaching from the stands anyway,” said the French Open finalist: “Whether it’s right or wrong doesn’t matter. I think coaching is a big part of tennis and you’re on your own out there.”

The 25-year-old Stephens also sees added value for the fans through coaching on the tennis court. This allows them to “feel more connected to the player and the coach,” she said.

Most recently, the 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams (USA) and her coach Patrick Mouratoglou caused a great stir in the lost final of the US Open against the Japanese Naomi Osaka because of unauthorized coaching from the stands. “Coaching is an essential component of any sporting performance. Banning it almost makes it look like something that is shameful or needs to be hidden,” Frenchman Mouratoglou wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

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Coaching at Grand Slams: Stephens for rule change

Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens has spoken out in favor of on-court coaching at Grand Slam tournaments.

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