Nick Kyrgios ‘disagrees’ with Patrick Mouratoglou about ATP’s decision to ‘legalise’ off-court coaching

Nick Kyrgios puts on a show

Nick Kyrgios believes tennis is losing “one of the only unique traits” it has when compared to other sports after the ATP announced that it would trial off-court coaching with his views in stark contrast to that of Patrick Mouratoglou.

There have been several contentious moments when it comes to on-court coaching in tennis in recent years with Stefanos Tsitsipas one of the most high-profile players to receive code violations on several occasions.

Mouratoglou, who currently coaches Simona Halep, was also at the centre of a storm during the 2019 US Open final when Serena Williams was given a warning for receiving instructions from her then coach Mouratoglou.

The practice has been illegal on the ATP, but it will be trialled in qualifying and main draw matches from July 11-November 20 with the US Open the first major where it will be used.

Frenchman Mouratoglou has never been shy to express that he is in favour of coaching and welcomed the decision by the ATP.

“Congratulations to the ATP for ‘legalizing’ a practice that has been going on at almost every match for decades. No more hypocrisy,” he tweeted.

However, Kyrgios fired back as he raised several reasons why he is not in favour of on-court coaching.

“Completely disagree. Loses one of the only unique traits that no other sport had. The player had to figure out things on his own. That was the beauty of it,” he wrote.

“What happens if a high profile player versus a low ranked player who doesn’t have or afford a coach?”

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