Players divided over US Open coaching green light

The historic decision to allow coaching at the US Open for the first time has drawn a mixed response from players ahead of this year's tournament. Four years ago, Serena Williams erupted in fury during her US Open final defeat to Naomi Osaka after being penalised for receiving coaching from Patrick Mouratoglou. This year, however, the rule that sparked Williams' spectacular meltdown has been scrapped as part of a broader trial, meaning players can receive coaching advice from the stands.

Verbal and non-verbal coaching will be allowed provided it does not interrupt play or hinder the opponent, with verbal coaching only permitted when the player is at the same end of the court. Greece's world number five Stefanos Tsitsipas welcomed the move, arguing that it simply formalises an aspect of the game that has been going on for years. "My coach has not been as discreet as other coaches, but it has been always happening," Tsitsipas said.

"I've gotten a lot of coaching violations, which I found unfair. But now that it's legalised, I'm more than happy I won't have to deal with referees that are so strict and want to kind of ruin the game. "Trust me, it's happening with almost every single player.

The fact that it's legalised now is going to make tennis a bit more peaceful, make players concentrate more on the game, less on different kind of nonsense." Defending US Open champion Daniil Medvedev was sceptical how significant the rule change will be. "I was never against coaching but I know I'm not really going to use it with my coach because we know how we work together," Medvedev said. "Maybe there's going to be one match of 10 or 20 where he's going to try to introduce something during the match.