On-court coaching to be allowed in WTA Tour events next year
4/9/2008 17:50
Female tennis players will be allowed to consult with their coaches during
matches starting next year, the WTA announced in New York yesterday.
The rule
change was approved by the Tour's board last week, CEO Larry Scott said during
the US Open.
Coaches will be allowed to visit their players once per set, and
only during the allotted changeover time. They can also come on court when the
opponent takes a medical break.
But the on-court coaching is limited to WTA
Tour events and doesn't include Grand Slams, Scott said.
Scott also announced
several other changes to the Tour calendar and tournament structure.
The
season will end in October, increasing the offseason break time to nine weeks
from seven in a bid to reduce injuries.
"The healthier calendar is for me
probably the most important long-term aspect of what we're doing," said
Scott.
And, for the first time, top-10 players who miss any of Tour's nine
top tournaments could be suspended.
Players would avoid suspension as long as
they make a promotional appearance in the tournament city, either during the
event or at a later date.
If a suspension were to occur, it would be for two
tournaments the following year. Players will be automatically penalized in their
rankings and earnings for skipping big events.
Xinhua
|
