“It’s complete bulls*it” – Taylor Fritz furious about losing individuality in on-court coaching as he gears up for Eastbourne Open
World No. 5 Taylor Fritz unleashed a passionate critique of the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) decision to allow off-court coaching from 2025, calling it “complete bullshit” for undermining tennis’s individuality. In a June 24, 2025, interview with Caroline Garcia on the *Tennis Insider Club* YouTube channel, Fritz expressed fury over the rule, which he believes erodes the sport’s mental and strategic essence. As he gears up for the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open, where he’s a three-time champion, Fritz’s outspoken stance sets the stage for his title defense, starting with a second-round match against João Fonseca on June 25, 2025.[
]Fritz, a staunch defender of tennis as a one-on-one battle, argued, “Tennis is an individual sport. Why should someone else be allowed to tell me what to do during a match? If you’re not smart enough to figure it out yourself, that’s part of the game. The strategy, the mind games—that’s what makes it special. It’s complete bullshit that someone can just tell you what to do.” He emphasized that the rule, formalized after trials since 2017 at Grand Slams and ATP/WTA events, diminishes the need for players to solve problems independently, a core aspect of the sport’s appeal. Fritz also suggested that if coaching must exist, microphones could make it entertaining for fans, but current implementations fail to deliver this.
The ITF’s decision, announced in October 2024, allows coaches to provide brief verbal or hand-signal advice between points and longer guidance during breaks, aiming to enhance fairness and entertainment. However, Fritz, joined by players like Denis Shapovalov, who called it “sad” on X, sees it as a betrayal of tennis’s unique mental challenge. Former British No. 1 Laura Robson agreed, noting it’s “hard to police” and strips away what makes tennis difficult. Fritz’s frustration was echoed on X, with @PuntoDBreak quoting him saying, “It’s bad for tennis, an absolute disgrace.”
Fritz’s comments come as he transitions from a first-round loss at Queen’s Club to Corentin Moutet (6-7, 7-6, 7-5) to Eastbourne, where he’s won titles in 2019, 2022, and 2024. His grass-court prowess, evidenced by a Stuttgart Open win over Alexander Zverev (6-3, 7-6(7-0)) on June 15, 2025, makes him a Wimbledon contender, despite a 21-11 season record marred by a French Open first-round exit. At Eastbourne, he credits the fast courts, similar to Wimbledon’s, for his success, telling *Sussex Express*, “A third of my career titles are here.
As Fritz faces Fonseca, a rising Brazilian with a 6-7, 6-0, 6-3 Eastbourne win over Zizou Bergs, his focus remains sharp, but his coaching critique underscores a broader debate about tennis’s future. With Wimbledon looming, Fritz’s resolve to preserve the sport’s individuality fuels his drive for a fourth Eastbourne crown.[
