Serena Williams' ex-coach embroiled in row as ATP announces off-court coaching for US Open

Patrick Mouratoglou has found himself embroiled in a row over in-match coaching after the ATP Tour announced it would trial coaching from the stands for the second half of the season, including the US Open. The Frenchman mentored Serena Williams when she famously received a coaching violation during the 2018 US Open final.

The ATP announced on Tuesday that 'off-court' coaching would be trialled on the tour for the second half of the season, including at the US Open. Starting from the week after Wimbledon all the way through to the end of the season - including the ATP Finals - the ATP said: "The trial will permit coaching from designated coach seats during qualifying and main draw matches at ATP Tour events."

Mouratoglou has now drawn criticism for his claim that coaches had already secretly been communicating with their players from the stands after he tweeted: "Congratulations to the ATP for "legalizing" a practice that has been going on at almost every match for decades. No more hypocrisy."

The Frenchman found himself embroiled in an argument with former pro Todd Woodbridge after the 20-time doubles Grand Slam champion reposted Mouratoglou's comment and added: "This is so disappointing to see that such a high profile coach blatantly admits that he has broken the rules of our sport for so long."

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And the current coach of Simona Halep has now hit back, as he first replied: "This is a particularly bad one from you Todd. You have been on tour for a long time. Why do you deny the evidence of the coaching happening every day on the courts ? To purposely trying to make me look bad and accusing me ? This is disappointing..." He also claimed he had