Naomi Osaka’s coach explains what the ATP have done to coaches over the years which was ‘very disrespectful’

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The ATP Tour have introduced a rule recently that has drastically changed the game of tennis.

At the end of 2024, it was announced that off-court coaching would finally be allowed, after years of discussion.

Several top ATP stars disagreed with the move, as world number four Taylor Fritz shared his thoughts.

“Can we stop ruining the 1v1 mental/strategic aspect of the sport please,” he said.

2025 Dallas Open champion Denis Shapovalov agreed, suggesting that the rule change left him ‘sad.’

“It’s sad to see this new off court coaching rule,” he said.

“Why are you trying to change the beauty of this game.”

Their opinions weren’t shared by all, however, as one top WTA coach was heavily in favor of the move, and thinks the decision should’ve been made sooner.

Patrick Mouratoglou thinks ATP were ‘very disrespectful’ to coaches before recent rule change

Speaking on Instagram at his most recent UTS event in Guadalajara, Patrick Mouratoglou gave his honest opinion on the introduction of off-court coaching.

“I’m happy for two reasons, first to see that some things that we created with UTS [Ultimate Tennis Showdown] are implemented on the ATP Tour, and second, I’m happy for the coaches because I’ve said many times, I think coaching is such an important part of the sport,” he said.

“It’s something that is highlighted in all the sports, the moments of coaching, because they’re always, not always, but very often interesting insights about the game.

“You understand the psychology of the players also, you understand so many things and sometimes it’s very inspiring.

“Some coaches’ speeches are incredibly inspiring.”

The French coach then described the way he and other coaches were treated by the ATP Tour, as ‘disrespectful.’

“Not to have that is a loss for me, and second I think it was very disrespectful for coaches the way they have been treated throughout the years,” said Mouratoglou.

“They were basically told to be somewhere in the crowd and not talk, not to move, and it makes no sense because the essence of our job is to help the players perform.”

Mouratoglou agreed with Rafael Nadal’s opinion on off-court coaching, echoing the idea that coaches should be able to help players when they need it most.

“To be taking that opportunity [away] during the matches when it’s the most important didn’t really make sense,” he said.

“Actually that’s Rafa [Nadal], who said that too, I’m quoting Rafa here, all the players have coaches all year long, and the moment they need them most, that’s the moment you’re not allowed to use them.

“So I know tennis is all about tradition and stuff, I mean there are things in the tradition that are great and we need to keep, and some others we need to evolve also.”

Finally, the Frenchman suggested the next step he believes the ATP Tour should take, having introduced off-court coaching.

“I’m happy for the coaches because for their brand, they’re finally able to show the way they work, who they are, expose their brand,” he said.

“Not completely, because they’re not mic’d up yet, I hope they will be soon, that’s the next goal, but they deserve it.”

Patrick Mouratoglou’s coaching record

Mouratoglou has coached on the ATP and WTA Tours for over 20 years, leading several players to success.

Mouratoglou is currently coaching Naomi Osaka, who reached the third round of this year’s Australian Open, retiring injured against Belinda Bencic.

Before joining Osaka’s team in 2024, Mouratoglou enjoyed stints working alongside Holger Rune, Simona Halep, and Serena Williams, enjoying Major success with the latter.

Mouratoglou enjoyed the majority of his success alongside Williams, as she continued to dominate on the WTA Tour.

• W – 2012 Wimbledon
• W – 2012 US Open
• W – 2013 French Open
• W – 2013 US Open
• W – 2014 US Open
• W – 2015 Australian Open
• W – 2015 French Open
• W – 2015 Wimbledon
• W – 2016 Wimbledon
• W – 2017 Australian Open

The pair won their final Major title together at the 2017 Australian Open, as Williams took down her sister Venus Williams, 6-4, 6-4, in the final.

Mouratoglou will no doubt be hoping for more Grand Slam success later this year when he and Osaka return for the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.