Jannik Sinner on the New On-Court Coaching Rule: “I Don’t Think It Will Change Tennis Much”

ITF Announces On-Court Coaching for 2024

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recently declared that on-court coaching will be permitted at all events starting January 1st. Coaches will be allowed to offer verbal guidance (from the same side of the court as their player) or use hand signals at any point during a match, except when points are being played. According to the ITF, this move is intended to make the sport “fairer and, potentially, more entertaining.”

Mixed Reactions from Players

This rule change has sparked mixed reactions. Some players, including Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov, have openly criticized the move, arguing that it may undermine the mental challenge of tennis by reducing players’ need to solve problems independently.

Sinner’s View on On-Court Coaching

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, however, is less concerned about this shift. With on-court coaching already trialed at Grand Slams and on both the ATP and WTA Tours since 2023, he doesn’t anticipate a significant impact on the game.

“I don’t think it will change (tennis) incredibly much. Even now, some coaches give advice at times,” Sinner stated during a press conference in Paris.

He elaborated on the player-coach dynamic:

“This sport is still about being alone on the court and figuring things out. But there’s already an understanding between players and coaches developed over years, so I don’t think it’s going to change incredibly much.”

Sinner’s Journey in the Paris Masters

Sinner enters the Paris Masters aiming to become the first Italian to win the tournament since 1977. With seven ATP titles in 2024, including both the Australian Open and US Open, Sinner has established himself as a formidable competitor. However, he faces a challenging path, with potential matchups against Ben Shelton and former champion Holger Rune in the early rounds. Should he reach the final, he may face Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.

“It’s a very, very tough draw. But we go day by day. Anything can happen. The draw can open up sometimes or you never know what’s coming,” he said.

A Remarkable Season with No Signs of Fatigue

Paris marks Sinner’s 15th ATP tournament this year, with an impressive record of 65 wins out of 71 matches. Despite this intense schedule, he remains optimistic about his energy levels.

“We (Sinner’s team) made some very, very good choices throughout the year, aiming to be ready for the end of the season.”

The main event on Sinner’s horizon is the ATP Finals in Turin, but for now, his sights are firmly set on Paris. The first round of the Paris Masters kicks off on Monday.