Coco Gauff secured a routine win in the first round of the Australian Open, where she experienced on-court coaching first hand.
Court-side seating allows the likes of WTA number three Gauff to communicate with coaches and other team members during Australian Open matches.
Gauff has been handed a tricky Australian Open draw, but managed to make it past Sofia Kenin unscathed in the first round.
The 20-year-old is appearing in her fifth Melbourne Grand Slam, with her best finish coming last year in the semi-finals.
Gauff also reached the semi-finals of the French Open before fourth round exits at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Coco Gauff favours on-court coaching format at the Australian Open
Andrea Petkovic has praised Gauff for her recent coaching change, which saw Matt Daly come in for Brad Gilbert.
The WTA star has enjoyed great success with Daly, with Gauff having shared her thoughts on the on-court coaching setup in Melbourne in her post-match press conference.
“I know some players don’t like the on-court coaching, which for me I think it’s fine to be allowed because you have the choice if you want to be coached or not,” she said.
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“I think it’s good. I like this format better than I think a couple of years ago when the coach had to come on court like one time a set or something. I think that was just a little bit weird. I like that you can just say what you want when you want.
“For me it’s fine, and obviously my coaches, I gave them 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. I’m the type of person, I don’t talk a lot to the coaches, but I do like to get advice.
“I am a fan of it, but I definitely like the way it is now instead of having the on-court coaching where they come on court. Then everybody can hear what’s being said, so yeah.”
Coco Gauff not expecting anything ‘crazy’ with on-court coaching
Gauff certainly wasn’t at her best against 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin, with work still needed with the likes of Daly behind the scenes.
She hit 32 unforced errors and nine double faults before triumphing 6-3, 6-3 against her fellow American at Rod Laver Arena.
Gauff will undoubtedly look to make the most of her coaches as the tournament progresses, with the 2023 US Open winner certainly not worried about any negative interactions between opposition teams and players despite their close proximity in stadiums.
“Yeah, no, because if you are respectful, they aren’t really saying anything to you while you’re on that side, and I don’t say anything to them,” she said.
“Yeah, I’ve never had that personal experience on court where they bother me. I will say at United Cup it was a little bit weird because I put my towel right next to the bench.
“It was just awkward not wanting to look at the opposing team, but I don’t think there will be any crazy stuff unless people are being disrespectful. I think most of the teams on tour are pretty respectful. I don’t think that will open it up for that.”
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