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Australian Open Live Updates 12 January 2025

He’s been the leading advocate for it but even Stefanos Tsitsipas was taken aback when he saw the new on-court coaching boxes on Rod Laver Arena.

Kokkinakis unsure of AO fitness

He’s been the leading advocate for it but even Stefanos Tsitsipas was taken aback when he saw the new on-court coaching boxes on Rod Laver Arena.

For the first time at this year’s Australian Open coaches will be seated on the court, just metres away from their players and alongside the ball kids.

Tsitsipas, who was coached by his father Apostolos until they split in August last year, has been one of the most penalised players on tour for coaching violations.

Understandably he is a big fan of the new rule from the ITF to allow coach-player interaction during matches although he feels the machinations of how it works is going to take a while for players and fans to get used to.

“I actually laughed when I saw them yesterday, I don’t know, it is kind of weird,” Tsitsipas said.

“You know why it’s weird, I see my coach and other team members in that particular box and the rest of them are upstairs.

“I’m not used to it but I guess I will acclimatise at some point.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas was taken aback by the new on-court coaching boxes. Picture: Getty Images
Stefanos Tsitsipas was taken aback by the new on-court coaching boxes. Picture: Getty Images

Under the new rule coaching is allowed between points and at the change of ends and set breaks. Communication may be verbal when the coach and player are at the same end of the court or hand signals.

But it must be “brief and discreet” during points.

The move has divided opinion among players but Tsitsipas, the No. 11 seed, believes tennis fans will enjoy seeing matches change complexion off the back of a coaching move.

“It is still a very recent thing in tennis, you still haven’t had the opportunity to see a lot of intense battles in matches where players reach out to their coach and the microphone picks up what they have to say then we actually see it implemented and applied into the tactical part of a game during a match,” he said.

“If I have to assume for sure outcomes have changed because of that (coaching) previously back in the day when it was secretly done.

“I have personally had my own fair share of issues with it, receiving a lot of penalties and coaching violations for not doing it discreetly.

“But I am definitely here to tell you there were plenty of players on the tour doing it with their coaches, just in my situation my coach was not as discreet as others.

“I wish to see those things be applied into tennis, see matches change on the outcome of what the coach has to say.

“It’s definitely something that will be cool for tennis. I think the crowds and people that are really passionate about tennis and enthusiasts of the sport will get them up close and I think it will offer something new and innovative towards tennis.”

Novak Djokovic with coach Andy Murray. Picture: Getty Images
Novak Djokovic with coach Andy Murray. Picture: Getty Images

The greatest player in history, Novak Djokovic, is also a fan and says he’s looking forward to having his new mentor Andy Murray seated just a few metres away from him.

“I think it’s great the Australian Open introduced the coaching box on the court at the same level in the corner,” Djokovic said.

“That’s where Andy and the coaching staff will sit which is really great.”

Originally published as Australian Open Live Updates 12 January 2025

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open-live-updates-12-january-2025/news-story/923f58ceb1238e7c7802ef8af2d7b18f