Stefanos Tsitsipas ‘glad’ as Wimbledon and Roland Garros change rule

Wimbledon and Roland Garros have joined the other two major events in allowing on-court coaching, which is something that Stefanos Tsitsipas is likely to be pleased about.

Tsitsipas has previously been punished for seemingly conferring with his player’s box, something that he has since admitted, but with this rule change he will legally be able to utilise his coaching team throughout all four Grand Slam events.

“Well, the coaching has always been there. Some coaches might have not been using it as much,” Tsitsipas said earlier this year. “In my case, it has always been part of how I do things when I’m on the court. I’m glad it’s not penalised now.”

He continued, “That’s how it should be. I see no reason to have a coach with you if they can’t share some of their view and knowledge with you when you’re competing. I feel like it’s something very natural in our sport. For sure it should be used.”

The rule came in for last year’s US Open and the most recent Australian Open, where Tsitsipas reached the final, and now the two European majors are set to follow.

Wimbledon had previously dismissed the possibility of allowing on-court coaching with former CEO Richard Lewis saying, “We are philosophically very against. We believe it is a gladiatorial sport, an individual sport; you go on court and the whole premise of tennis is that you are on your own.”

However, the grass court major has since made a U-turn meaning that last year’s Wimbledon could be the last Grand Slam event where players are not allowed to confide with their team.

Tsitsipas, who is the current No.3, will be hoping that this rule change means he can improve his current best performance at SW19, when he reached the fourth round in 2018.

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