A number of changes to tennis were made in 2025, with some more well-received than others.
Off-court coaching was implemented in the game this year, with a player’s team now allowed to help them during a match either verbally or with hand signals.
The new addition prompted the Australian Open to introduce coaching pods, which were courtside boxes placed in opposite corners of the court, where members of a player’s team could be brought closer to the action.
At Wimbledon, there were no line judges in 2025 for the first time in its 148-year history, with electronic line-calling now carried out.
If the Next Gen ATP Finals rule changes are anything to go by, tennis is not yet done innovating, and British number one Jack Draper says there is one idea he thinks would make tennis much more exciting.
Jack Draper discusses removing lets on service in tennis
When reacting to unpopular tennis opinions in an interview with the Tennis Mentor, Draper discussed the idea of removing lets from service.
Play is never stopped if the ball hits the net cord and goes in during the middle of a rally, but players have to redo their first or second serve if they hit a let from the first shot of the point.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
The 23-year-old said of the potential rule change: “You know what, I’d quite like that one.
“We did that once when I was younger for a while, I think, on the ITF Tour. They do it in college tennis [as well].
“At first, you’re like, I hate this idea, but then you realise that you actually start returning way better because you’re way sharper to think that there might be a left call, so you’re going to have to get there if it does.
“I think it would actually improve the overall tennis and might bring a bit of excitement. I don’t mind that one.”
Jack Draper says the underarm serve is ‘fair game’
Draper was then asked if underarm serves should be used more by players on the ATP Tour, to which he replied: “Yes, definitely.
“That’s one where a lot of players get annoyed when someone underarm serves, or the crowd starts booing it.
“But it’s a great tactic because a lot of guys return back. I know myself I return back a lot and I’m working on coming forward a little bit more, but the underarm serve is fair game.
“I never practice it, and that’s why it’s shocking. But I need to start practicing. My coach always says I don’t have any skill when it comes to that, so I’ll have to work on it.”
Draper ranked 11th in serve rating on the tour in 2025 as per ATP Statistics, with a score of 285.3.
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