Jimmy Connors has given his thoughts on the controversial off-court coaching rule change.
Off-court coaching has now been approved and will be legal from 2025 onwards, a change that has caused a lot of discussion on the ATP Tour.
Whilst the powers that be argue that the move will make tennis fairer and more entertaining, the wider tennis community seems to disagree with the decision.
Several players have used off-court coaching in recent years, with Stefanos Tsitsipas and his father Apostolos Tsitsipas, perhaps the most notable example.
Cameras have often shown the pair conversing or in some cases disagreeing about making changes to the Greek’s tactics mid-match.
Such conversations are not something that American legend Jimmy Connors believes should be taking place.
Jimmy Connors is not a fan of the new ATP rule change
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has made his feelings heard about the rule change on his Advantage Connors podcast.
“You’re supposed to do all your hard work and grinding and listening to your coaches before the matches and then you are supposed to walk on court in your matches and put that into effect,” he said.
“My thought was if you don’t have it down by now [when you walk on court] you are not going to get it.”
Connors revealed what he thought the purpose of coaches during matches was when he was a professional.
“For me, I liked knowing that I had support there, whether it was your Mom, I wasn’t looking for somebody to help me win the match. I liked knowing that they were in your corner, they were rooting for you,” he said.
The American went on to question what players expect when they look to coaches mid-match.
“I watch tennis now and they all look up to the box every time, some look up after every point,” he said.
“Are they looking for coaching, help or divine intervention?
“I always thought you had way too much to do down there than have somebody tell you, all that was going to do was confuse me.”
What do other ATP stars think about the rule change?
Connors isn’t alone in his disapproval of the new ruling as a number of top stars have come out against the change.
Taylor Fritz who lost the US Open Final earlier this year, took to X to share his thoughts.
“Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport please,” he said.
Denis Shapovalov also spoke about the change.
“It’s sad to see this new off court coaching rule,” he said.
“Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game.”
Tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have previously disagreed about off-court coaching, whilst other top players have shared their opinions over recent months.
Regardless of whether the players like it or not, it looks like off-court coaching is here to stay, and it’ll be interesting to see if anyone can take advantage of the new ruling in 2025.
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