Tennis finally joined the modern sporting world in 2025, allowing players to receive on-court coaching during matches – if desired. It’s a civilising move: less skulduggery, fewer hand signals masquerading as nose scratches, and a tacit admission that elite athletes might benefit from a pow-wow now and then.

It’s all very orderly now. Coaches sit in designated pods. At the Australian Open they’re courtside, so players can approach them for pearls of wisdom before returning to their position on court, ready to pulverise their opponent.

Stan Wawrinka seeks support from his coach Magnus Norman during his third round loss to Taylor Fritz during the 2026 Australian Open. Credit: Getty Images

It wasn’t always like this. Unlike the footy coach who contacts players through a fungi-like network of runners and pony-tailed drink girls, unlike captains who rally round their team, hugging one and all at quarter time, the tennis player was a lonely figure standing behind the baseline, flicking away Christmas beetles and light-drunk moths to the laughter of the crowd.

Of course, coaches could communicate with their charge, but they had to do it via a code only they would understand should authorities issue warnings and penalties. Tugging their right earlobe might mean serve to the left – ha, that’ll trick em. Waving away imaginary flies might suggest a rush to the net. Scratching the head was surely “Dump plan A. Abort, abort, abort.” Secret walky-talky stuff. In the 2018 US Open final, 2018, Serena Williams famously lost her mind and was docked a game after being warned for a sneaky move-forward hand gesture by coach Patrick........

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