Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is not a fan of the Australian Open’s on-court coaching “pods”, preferring her whole team to be in the one spot while watching on.
Tennis Australia’s latest innovation – pods in two corners of each court that fit up to four performance staff per player – have been introduced in Melbourne this year in a grand slam first.
Aryna Sabalenka does not want her team using the on-court coaching “pods”.Credit: Getty Images
Coaches can choose to sit courtside or in their usual space in the stands.
Sabalenka said she preferred her whole team sat in one spot and that she would like to see up to eight seats in the pods.
“Honestly, it’s not like I’m a big fan of that decision. Or if you do that, then make more seats,” said Sabalenka after her first-round win over American Sloane Stephens.
“Me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box. Even if I’m not looking at each person in my box, I always look at my coach, but I still see everyone.
“For me that’s important.
“I don’t know, sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support, for example. I just didn’t want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box because I have a lot of coaches. Four seats is not enough.”
Tournament boss Craig Tiley said the introduction of the pod coincided with coaches officially being allowed to speak to players when they are at the same end of the court.
“We tested it this week, and some coaches were a bit sceptical at first, but then they sat down and said: ‘This is great’,” Tiley said before the Open got under way.
“I think we’re going to find much more than the majority will actually sit on the court. You have a great sight line of your player after every point.
“When they come and get their towel, you can talk to them, so you’re almost, in effect, able to coach your player after each point, if you want to.”
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