"Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect": Taylor Fritz hits back at ITF's new off-court coaching rule

America’s Taylor Fritz has criticised the International Tennis Federation (ITF)’s decision to allow off-court coaching during the matches. The ITF, on Monday announced that players will be allowed to have off-court coaching during the match which will make the game more ‘fairer and, potentially entertaining’.

Fritz in a post on his official account on the social media platform X — previously known as Twitter — criticised the decision and stated that such a move will going to take away the aspect of ‘one versus one’ from tennis. "Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport PLEASE,” he wrote. "Tennis is special because you are out there alone. Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game.”

ITF senior official Stuart Miller was recently quoted in a report where he stated that the move was taken place only after proper consultation from all key stakeholders. "Players felt it was a positive development and makes tournaments more interesting for them. Coaches have said it helps player development and helps to improve the standing of their profession," he said. "Chair umpires have said it improves their ability to focus on monitoring the game and making the right decisions, rather than whether or not a coach is coaching against the rules."

Fritz is going through a fabulous season on a personal level. The 26-year-old became the first American player in 18 years to play in the final of the US Open where he lost to world number one Italy’s Jannik Sinner in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. This year, the current world number six played 64 matches where he won 46 and suffered defeats in just 18. He won two events in 2024. He first lifted the Delray Beach Open in February after beating fellow American Tommy Paul in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3. He then lifted the Rothesay International in June after beating Australia’s Max Purcell in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-3.