Interesting experiment! ATP will allow coaches to coach their tennis players from the stands. However, there are a number of limitations

The ATP resorted to a very interesting experiment. The coaches will be able to coach their charges from the stands, whereas until now such actions were severely punished. However, this novelty contains a number of restrictions, it also determines when and on what occasions coaches will be able to speak to tennis players.

The ATP will test an interesting novelty from the second half of the season. The new rule will come into effect after Wimbledon and will apply to the last Grand Slam of the season, the US Open or the final Tournament of Champions.

The coaches will be able to coach their charges from the stands, which according to tennis rules has been reprimanded in the past, with the umpires also handing out severe penalties.

However, this coaching has several restrictions, as you can see in the above Twitter post.

Coaches will only be allowed in designated areas and communication towards players will only be allowed during breaks between games and sets. Penalties will still apply for any rule violations.

Communication between player and coach will only be allowed if both are at the same end of the tennis court. Non-verbal communication (e.g. hand gestures) will be allowed at any time during the match.

The coach will also not be allowed to speak to the player if the tennis player leaves the court for any reason. Thus, the ATP probably wants to unify the rules on both elite circuits – ATP and WTA. In the women’s championship, this is already the case from the 2020 season.

At the end of the 2022 season, the ATP will decide whether this rule will remain permanently in the men’s category.

Sources: Twitter – Luca Fiorino, ATP