WTA coaches in Singapore divided over on-court coaching debate

WATCH—Caroline Wozniacki takes out Petra Kvitova in Singapore:

This week in Singapore has given top WTA coaches a chance to speak on the issue of on-court coaching. There appears to be a sharp division on allowing more on-court coaching.

The debate has been spurred by a controversy-filled women's final at the US Open, which turned confrontational when Serena Williams received a code violation for coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou. Mouratoglou, who did admit to coaching from the stands, released a statement arguing for its inclusion at all tournaments.

Since 2008, the WTA tour allows players to request coaches on court a limited number of times at non-Slam tournaments. Recently, coaches have been allowed to signal and speak to players as part of an experiment during qualifying at the US Open. The new rule will be considered by the other Grand Slams, who, like the ATP Tour, do not allow coaching in any capacity.

Raemon Sluiter, a former ATP player who coaches Kiki Bertens, told press in Singapore that on-court coaching does not help the WTA tour or its players.

"So I am not a big fan of the on-court coaching," he said. "I think a lot of times when the coaches come on court, they are not necessarily used as a help line but more as an ambulance.

"And also the fact—solve the puzzle yourself. I would like the girls to solve the puzzle themselves even more. I think they are fully capable of it. I think with the on-court coaching we are slowing down that process just a little bit."

Noami Osaka's coach Sascha Bajin—who was in her player box during the US Open final—also pointed to the importance of players solving their own problems. He further suggested that excess coaching is hurting junior players.

"I believe that they would stop thinking for themselves, and everything just becomes too much," he said. "I think that's something beautiful about this sport, that it's really only you and to find a problem, to be a good problem-solver. If you look at the best tennis players, they are good problem-solvers on-court and off-court. My opinion is I definitely don't want [more on-court coaching]."

But some coaches disagree with Bajin and Sluiter, and think more on-court coaching is a good thing.

"I think it's good. I like it. I mean, it gives us more involvement, so that's a good thing," said Andrew Bettles, Elina Svitolina's coach.

Bettles pointed out the difficult adjustment from WTA tour events to Grand Slams, which cut coaches off.

"When you go to the Slams, which are the biggest, you kind of have your hands tied a little bit in that sense," he said.

For Petra Kvitova's coach, Jiri Vanek, he thinks a clear line is most important—all in, or all out.

"I think it helps a lot with Petra. But, you know, for tennis it's tough," Vanek said, referring to the strict limits on coaching consultations. "For me, better if not coaching at all or to sit on the bench, like during the Fed Cup matches or Davis Cup matches. Otherwise it's going to be always a problem between umpires and coaches, coaches making the signals and everybody does [it]."

This week in Singapore, most of the players have called their coaches on court.

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