On-court coaching: after the trial

The women's tour has experimented with on-court coaching in two events this summer. Traditionalists like Andy Roddick don't want to see it spread across the sport.

"Personally, I don't like it," Roddick said. "I think tennis is unique in the fact you actually have to think for yourself."

Larry Scott, the chief executive of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, said he can understand player concerns, but said tennis must look out for its fans, too.

"I see in the early reaction from TV people and fans it's something that's going to have some traction," Scott said Tuesday as rain delayed first-round U.S. Open matches.

Players called for coaches 84 times in 52 women's matches in Montreal and New Haven this summer.

Consultations with coaches were allowed only during changeovers and between sets. The encounters were available for broadcast on TV on a tape-delayed basis.

"Fans were able to see an interaction between coach and player that normally takes place behind the scenes," said Eugene LaPierre, tournament director of the Rogers Cup. "One of the best moments for me was seeing Martina Hingis' mother coach her daughter on the court - this is a woman who has shaped one of the greatest players of all time and fans got to see her in action on center court, doing her job."

Some players point out the same system could allow out-of-control parents on the court, embarrassing the whole sport.

"If we open that door, it could get complicated," said Lauren Albanese, the 16-year-old from Coral Springs who faces former U.S. Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. Palm Beach Post

If they are going to do it, they should definitely put it on TV. And I want the crazy, banana-waving, four-fingered parents/coaches out there too. The more embarassing it gets, the more I get to see what life is like with those people. But again, no one is going to start watching tennis solely to see this interaction - unless Maria Sharapova hires a boyfriend as her coach and makes out with him on court. And that coach happens to be Andy Roddick.