Sabalenka ‘not a big fan’ of courtside coaches at the Open, but others like the innovation

Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is not a fan of the Australian Open’s new on-court coaching “pods”, explaining they are not big enough to accommodate her entourage.

But the jury is still out among players on Tennis Australia’s latest innovation – pods in two corners of each court that fit up to four performance staff – which have been introduced in Melbourne this year in a grand slam first.

Aryna Sabalenka does not want her team using the on-court coaching “pods”.Credit: Getty Images

Coaches can sit courtside or in their usual space in the stands.

Sabalenka said she preferred her whole team to sit in one spot, so she would like to see up to eight seats in the pods.

“Honestly, it’s not like I’m a big fan of that decision. Or if you do that, then make more seats,” said Sabalenka after her first round win over American Sloane Stephens on Sunday night.

“Me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box. Even if I’m not looking at each person in my box, I always look at my coach, but I still see everyone.

“For me that’s important.

“Sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support, for example. I just didn’t want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box because I have a lot of coaches. Four seats is not enough.”

But world No.3 women’s player Coco Gauff backed the new measure, saying she appreciated the opportunity to receive feedback mid-game.

“I know some players don’t like the on-court coaching,” Gauff said on Monday after opening her tournament with a win over former champion Sofia Kenin, 6-3, 6-3.

“I think it’s fine to be allowed because you have the choice if you want to be coached or not.

“I gave them [my coaches] the decision if they wanted to sit in the box or on courtside. I didn’t know what they were going to choose until I walked out on court, and I saw them in the box.”

Australian veteran James Duckworth backed the innovation, saying he would be happy for conversations with his coach to be broadcast to fans.

“Whether or not at some stage coaches could be mic-ed up. I think that would be pretty cool, from a viewer’s standpoint; seeing how coaches interact with their players,” Duckworth told this masthead after beating Dominic Stricker of Switzerland in the first round on Monday.

James Duckworth celebrates winning his first round match.Credit: Getty Images

“If you’re down a set and a break or something, the coach is obviously going to try and change something. Maybe some players wouldn’t like it, but more people would watch tennis for sure.”

Top 10 player Casper Ruud backed the pods but said the new vantage point might actually be harder for coaches.

“I think that it’s good that they’re [coaches] even closer. You don’t feel like you have to scream back and forth, and sometimes it’s hard to hear because the crowd can be loud,” Ruud said.

“However, I think sometimes for a coach it’s not always easy to be on ground level because you don’t maybe see clearly the game. ”

Tournament boss Craig Tiley said the introduction of the pods coincided with coaches being allowed to speak to players when they are at the same end of the court.

“We tested it this week, and some coaches were a bit sceptical at first, but then they sat down and said: ‘This is great’,” Tiley said before the Open.

“I think we’re going to find much more than the majority will actually sit on the court. You have a great sight line of your player after every point.”

Men’s No.2 Alexander Zverev took a half-serious aim at the innovation, declaring his support team was too close for his liking.

“Yeah, I mean I hate it,” Zverev said in an on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena, before telling an extended joke about his family coaching arrangement.

The German’s father, Alexander Zverev Sr, and his brother, former tour player Mischa Zverev, were in his pod for his first round victory over Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

“Basically, I don’t want to see them too much in my life. It’s the way it is. I chose them as my coaches ... well, I didn’t really have a choice, to be honest.

“What am I going to say at Christmas dinner, ‘No, you’re not coming to Australia’, while their bags are packed already ... I say, ‘You are not coming’? I can’t do that.”

“There’s innovation in all sports. Tennis is getting innovation as well. I’m not sure what sort of innovation that is,” he added.

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