Jasmine Paolini has had a phenomenal season in 2024. She not only improved her WTA ranking, jumping to No.4, but also went on to reach the finals in Wimbledon and French Open. Not to forget her remarkable contribution to Italy’s historic BJK Cup victory in Malaga last month. The driving force behind her success this year was Renzo Furlan and perhaps that’s the reason why he’s officially the best WTA coach this season. This verdict, however, has resulted in a heated disagreement between fans and some of the top tennis insiders. But why?

On Thursday, reputed journalist Jon Wertheim shared a post on his X account. Taking a direct jab at Jasmine Paolini’s coach Renzo Furlan, he asked whether him winning the award was justified. According to Jon, the award should have been given to the coach of the top-performing female player this season, that is, World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. “Jasmine Paolini is magnificent – and should be an inspiration to every pro dissatisfied with their current ranking. And bravo to Renzo Furlan. But barring extenuating circumstances – and there are none here – shouldn’t the top coach be the one employed by the top player?” he wrote.

The results for the WTA Coach of the Year were announced on December 11, with Furlan emerging victorious for contributing to Paolini’s extraordinary season. Sabalenka, however, was nearly unbeatable in the second half of 2024. Apart from winning the Australian Open and the US Open, the Belarusian also claimed the first position in the rankings, dethroning Iga Swiatek. So, according to Wertheim, Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov should have gotten his due.

However, tennis fans are not aligning with Wertheim’s opinions. According to them, his logic doesn’t sit well for why Dubrov should have won the prestigious WTA honor.

Fans upset over insider’s comments on Jasmine Paolini’s coach winning the WTA award

Following Jon’s post on X, it didn’t take long for hardcore fans to drop their honest thoughts. One user simply questioned his explanation with regard to the ATP category where the best coach is also not the one associated with the No.1 player (Jannik Sinner). “Do you have the same issue with Fritz‘s coach being named coach of the year? He is also not employed by the top player.”

Another user tried to emphasize why Jasmine Paolini’s coach deserved to win the award. “For me: no not particularly, the rise that Paolini made is amazing, and the fact she wasn’t in the “most improved” is bonkers to me. Don’t get why she couldn’t be in that because her rise was too big (top5) at least that’s what I’ve been told.”

This point was emphasized by another fan as well.“Paolini had never won more than one round in a Slam before 2024. She closes the season with the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and 18 major victories. Only Sabalenka has won as many as Jamine. Question closed. Gooooood night!”

Another X user disagreed with Jon and presented their argument on the selection of the best trainer. They wrote that the award should be given to someone who actually helps a player in making a vast improvement in a season. And that it need not be someone who coaches the no. 1 player necessarily. “Absolutely not. It should be a coach who had a lot of impact for a player’s success and made them a better player, not necessarily one whose player was winning before and continues to do so.”

There was one fan who simply took a hilarious jab at the journalist. “If you go by only that logic then there is zero need for these awards. Just give it to the no 1 man and woman and their coaches and be done with it….”

Well, it will be intriguing to see how this ongoing situation shapes up going forward. What are your thoughts on the selection of the best WTA coach? Let us know in the comments below.