Novak Djokovic has admitted he doesn’t want his tennis rivals to pick up on Andy Murray’s coaching advice while the Briton is in a courtside pod at the Australian Open. Up to four coaches are now allowed to sit in the specialised pods, which are located at the corner of the courts at Melbourne Park.
Murray was in position to offer his guidance during Djokovic’s opener against Nishesh Basavareddy as the Serbian came from a set down to defeat the American in four sets.
And the three-time Grand Slam champion took his seat once again to guide Djokovic through his second-round victory over Jaime Faria.
Djokovic also needed four sets to overcome Faria as he was tested by the Portuguese. And after the clash, he gave his verdict on the pods as he explained: “The only thing that I dislike there is the fact that someone from your opponent’s team might be watching the match.
“And she or he hears that [coaching] and of course then texts the team member. Ten seconds later you have the information. That’s the part that I don’t like.
“So I feel like there should be some discretion and privacy in terms of the actual on-court coaching tactics. That shouldn’t be out there public, I would say, because then it kind of endangers you live during the match.”
Djokovic previously offered his thoughts on the pods as he exclaimed: “I think it’s great that the Australian Open introduced the coaching box on the court at the same level in the corner.”
But defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka is not convinced by the addition as she explained: “Honestly, it’s not like I’m a big fan of that decision. Or if you do that, then make more seats.
“For example, me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box.
“I don’t know, sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support. I just didn’t want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box.”
And Stefanos Tsitsipas, who suffered a shock defeat to up-and-coming American star Alex Michelsen in the first round, added: “I actually laughed when I saw them.
“I don’t know, it’s kind of weird. I see my coaches and some other team members in that particular box – and the rest of them are upstairs, which I’m not used to. I guess I will acclimatise at some point.”
