Coaching during a tennis match ?

Question

What's the big deal with players not being allowed to look at their coach during a match, isn't that what coaches are for to help players improve their game? What do coaches possibly offer during a match anyway that make a difference enough for professional players to get into trouble about?

Answer 1

the rule is that coaching from the sidelines is illegal.  despite the rule, some coaches will make signals to players during a match i.e. finger on nose: hit to forehand, scratch stomach: come to net.  they (coaches) can give tactical advice which can greatly influence the outcome of the match.

Answer 2

I think it's because some think it's cheating... the coach can send some signals to the player he's coaching, maybe meaning something like changing their tactics. You never know.

Answer 3

As with the Olympics and many other sports venues, on-site coaching is deemed to be illegal, if not immoral.

The thinking is that a player should have been coached before the match, and, thus, should be more than adequately prepared to play.  It is also thought that if a player cannot afford a coach (or, for that matter, doesn't have a good coach!), then it would be an unfair advantage for the other player to have a coach. Not to mention that, these days, some coaches are loonies, who might yell at their charges, much less shouldn't even be seen in public!  ;)

Ideally, the players should be able to adjust their game to their opponent(s) during a match. Look at it this way, if someone wins a match, was it due to the player's abilities or the coach's suggestions? Would you admire a player any less knowing that he/she was simply doing what the coach suggested? In other words, who really deserves the credit for winning? IMHO, this is why sports that allow coaching have become boring: it's less about the players capabilities than the coaches strategies.

However, if you watch the folks in the "friends" seats during televised tennis matches, you'll occasionally see the coaches or parents or whomever blatantly give signals or shout suggestions. Technically, these are illegal, and would result in a code violation per Rule 30 of the USTA "Friend at Court" rule book.

Answer 4

I don't see the big deal myself. I say allow all the coaching anyone needs or desires during change overs. However, don't hold up play during games. Warning and penalty for those that do.

Thinking out loud...a reason they may not allow coaching in general (especially in the junior ranks) is the appearance of impropriety (that some kids have coaches while others may not).

Answer 5

This has been a rather heated question.

Personally I don't feel like there should be any coaching once the match begins. A lot of announcers feel like the quality of tennis will get better if they do allow coaching... Fans win, players win, etc. But personally I think that violates the very aspect of what makes tennis challenging.

It's just you vs. them. The winner is the strongest physically and mentally and they take full responsibility for their game.  I think that is very honorable.