For the very first time in the previous season, the tennis community witnessed players receiving instructions and signals from their respective coaches on the sidelines. Prior to this, the rules for on-court coaching were quite strict as the participants were not permitted to receive any kind of verbal or non-verbal guidance in between their matches. Due to the same, the Russian tennis beauty, Maria Sharapova once got involved in a contentious incident during her 2006 US Open triumph.

During the championship match at Flushing Meadows, the former tennis ace was sighted receiving some kind of signals from her father and her hitting partner. Taking note of the same, the tennis community had some blunt accusations against the 5 singles Grand Slam champion that completely sidelined her incredible victory.

Maria Sharapova was once a target of scrutiny from the fans after her US Open triumph

At a very young age, the former Russian tennis player rose to prominence in the women’s circuit by adding a number of major titles to her bag. In 2006, the WTA star was only 19 when she marked her lone triumph at the Grand Slam event in New York. With her stellar prowess, Maria Sharapova outclassed the Belgian tennis legend, Justine Henin in straight sets in the championship match at Flushing Meadows.

However, right after her remarkable victory, the former tennis ace was in hot waters as she was sighted receiving “four fingers or waving a banana” apparent signals from the sidelines. A slew of fans deemed it as on-court coaching that was strictly prohibited for the players back then in 2006. According to a report from the dailystar.co.uk, the tennis community also accused the former world No. 1 player of benefitting from those signals from her father.

Later, the 36-year-old tennis star was quite blunt in offering an explanation for those assertions from the fans. In her post-match conference, the former Wimbledon champion made it clear that she is unbothered about such criticism while asserting that she is much more focused on her pursuing success on the court. She added, “And right now, I’m sitting here as a U.S. Open champion, and the last thing I think people need to worry about is a banana.”

READ MORE- Russian Star Maria Sharapova Strolls the Streets of Paris in a Surprise Getaway

Just like Sharapova, there is another prominent in the women’s circuit who also attracted some controversy due to the on-court coaching rules.

Sharapova’s arch-rival was also in hot waters due to the same rules

The American tennis legend, Serena Williams previously made headlines for a controversial ‘on-court coaching’ incident during the 2018 US Open. In her championship match against Naomi Osaka, the chair umpire, Ramos saw the ‘Queen of the Court’ receiving apparent signals from her former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

Later, the 41-year-old tennis legend got a major warning for the same as it was deemed a violation. The controversial decision further contributed to Willaims’ $17,000 fine for three code violations at the Flushing Meadows.

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer.