- The American has criticized a major rule change that will be allowed next year
- Taylor Fritz is not happy with the decision of the International Tennis Federation
- The organization believes their change will make tennis ‘fairer’ for players
World number six Taylor Fritz said the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) decision to allow off-court coaching from 2025 would ruin the strategic and mental one-on-one elements of the game.
The ITF announced on Monday that off-field coaching will be allowed from January 1, following a decision taken at the governing body’s annual general meeting this month.
The change was said to make tennis “fairer and possibly more fun.”
Off-court coaching has been implemented on a trial basis in all four Grand Slams and the ATP and WTA tours since 2023.
US Open finalist Fritz has previously been critical of off-court coaching and expressed his displeasure at the rule change in a post on X on Monday, writing: ‘Can we please stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport. ‘
World number six Taylor Fritz is furious over a major rule change set to come into effect next year
The ITF announced on Monday that off-field coaching will be allowed from January 1 – much to Fritz’s chagrin
Former world number 10 Denis Shapovalov said the decision to allow off-field coaching was “sad to see” as a fan of the sport.
‘Tennis is special because you are there alone. Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game,” the Canadian wrote on X.
ITF senior executive director Stuart Miller said the decision was made after consultation with key stakeholders, including players, coaches and referees.
‘Players thought it was a positive development and made tournaments more interesting for them. Coaches have said it helps players develop and improve the status of their profession,” Miller added.
‘Chair umpires have said it improves their ability to focus on monitoring the game and making the right decisions, rather than on whether or not a coach is coaching against the rules.’