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.
