'Purist' Federer says WTA's on-court coaching practice not needed in men's tennis

Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has said that he believes that the innovation of on-court coaching adopted on the women's tour is not necessary to the men's game.

The WTA has allowed limited on-court coaching since 2009, with players able to call for their coaches at one changeover per set, and between sets, although it is not allowed in Grand Slam tournaments.

According to Sport24, the 17-time Grand Slam champion, who is considered something of a tennis purist, said that he does not think that the practice is necessary as it is not fair given that not every player can afford a coach.

Stating that he hopes the practice is adopted on the ATP after his retirement if it does happen, Federer warned that it would not be 'pretty' if the system is adopted as it would lead to parents, girlfriends of players walking out of the court.

The subject of coaching came up after Thursday's WTA quarter-final clash between Flavia Pennetta and Sloane Stephens, in which Pennetta, up a set and 5-4, called her coach out for a chat on the changeover and promptly dropped three games and the set.

Federer, who was also wary of the Hawkeye electronic line call review system when it was introduced, also said that he believes that the individual nature of tennis is a part of its attraction even though a player can look over to his/her coach for comfort and support.

Federer booked his semi-final berth at Indian Wells, where the ATP Masters tournament is combined with a WTA event, the report added.