With an outpouring or anger over a newly-introduced rule, former number one Jennifer Capriati has suggest a new change could be made instead.
An introduction into the tennis rulebook that wasn’t intended to raise many eyebrows, has unfortunately been met with significant criticism.
The ITF announced the rule change that off-court coaching would be allowed in 2025.
While the statement suggested that this would be more fun and entertaining, players have suggested it takes out a key tactical edge to the sport.
Tennis fans dubbed the rule change ‘awful’ suggesting that all kinds go tactical nouse and quick-thinking now rosin being lost.
In response to the criticism, American legend Jennifer Capriati has suggested an idea that could give the sport a new edge, but still legislate for some on-court problem solving.
She said on X in response to a screenshot of Denis Shapovalov’s criticism of the new rule: “I think players should be able to have a stat pad to see the analytics in real time.
“A player should be able to figure this out instinctually, but sometimes what you think you are doing is not what’s actually happening. you need to see the data. Then use that to execute.”
Continuing she said: “You still have to think, react, [and] adapt. It’s another tool,” before suggesting that new technology has already stripped away a certain level of agency on court.
“The strings in itself are enabling these players to hit shots they couldn’t produce before these mega strings. They are basically doing most of the work for you with half the precision, power, spin, control, feel it took before.”
While a player may realise they are struggling on first serve or missing their backhand for example, statistics can often tell a curious tale.
A reliance on statistics can only get players so far, however with tennis such an intense test of individual skill and resolve, many simply resort to what they’re most confident in when struggling.
In-game access to stats might open up a similar room for criticism to come down that players are no longer thinking for themselves.
However, with Capriati’s suggestion, it would still force players to decide whether they were to change their game on their own – stats might simply open up more avenues for tactical astuteness.
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