The ATP recently followed in the footsteps of the WTA by giving off-court coaching a chance. The decision garnered a range of reactions from the tennis fraternity. Particularly, Patrick Mouratoglou’s take on the decision received special attention.

Serena Williams’ former coach pointing out that off-court coaching has been in function over decades and congratulating ATP for putting a legal stamp on it irked many. In fact, the veteran Todd Woodbridge and the current player Nick Kyrgios even condemned him for his take on the matter. Following the massive outlash, Mouratoglou justified his words. However, his justification seems to have taken the bad side as well.

Carlos Moya questioning Mouratoglou’s stats

The French tennis coach, in order to back his claims, presented an array of numbers on social media. He wrote, “A survey was done to trial the rule. Let’s look at the facts:- 90% of coaches approved it. 80% players also approved it. ATP Leadership approved it. ATP management approved it. Player Council approved it. ATP Board approved it.”

Nevertheless, the percentages raised suspicion in the mind of a tennis fan, which received approval from Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya. Moya sided with the fan on the matter of the accuracy of percentages Mouratoglou presented and wrote, “You do well to doubt, nobody ever asked me.” 

The off court coaching will come into action after the Wimbledon Championship and will last till the end of this season. However, there will be strict rules around the same.

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Such as the coach can’t speak to the player if he isn’t on the same side of the court. Any kind of communication during a medical or comfort break will open doors to penalties. Also, the opponent should not be disturbed in the process.

Patrick Mouratoglou as a coach

Mouratoglou has trained many mega players in the sport. Starting with Serena Williams, he joined hands with her in the year 2012 and helped her in winning multiple grand slams till 2022. Meanwhile, he also collaborated with one of the ATP’s top 10 players, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and shaped WTA’s rising star Coco Gauff in her early days.

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He is currently traveling alongside the former World No.1 Simona Halep and intends on seeing her win the ongoing Wimbledon Championship. They partnered after Halep’s run in the summer doubles.