Daniil Medvedev recently weighed in on the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) decision to allow off-court coaching starting January 1, 2025, sharing a similar outlook to fellow player Jannik Sinner. Both players believe that this change will not significantly impact the sport.
Their stance contrasts with Taylor Fritz’s, who voiced strong opposition to the new rule, arguing that it undermines the mental and strategic elements of tennis.
Fritz publicly criticized the ITF’s decision, expressing frustration on social media, where he stated:
“Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport PLEASE.”
His concerns reflect a belief that coaching during play compromises the individual mental challenge central to tennis.
Conversely, Sinner minimized the impact of the rule during a press conference at the 2024 Paris Masters, suggesting that players still need to solve problems independently on the court.
“I don’t think it will change like incredibly much. Even now, some coaches give advice, but as a player, you are still alone trying to figure out the situation,” he noted.
Medvedev, after a narrow loss to Alexei Popyrin, echoed Sinner’s perspective.
“I don’t think it can make a huge difference. If some coach tells my opponent to serve to my forehand, that’s okay—it’s part of the game. For me, it’s not a problem,” he explained,
displaying indifference toward the rule’s implementation.
Despite their differences on the rule, all three players—Medvedev, Sinner, and Fritz—will turn their focus to the upcoming ATP Finals, set to begin on November 10.
