WTA will allow coaching from the stands in 2020. The trial will start at the Dubai Duty Free Championships and continue throughout 2020 in Premier and International tournaments.

“The new trial will allow coaches to coach their player in the form they are currently coaching from the box without getting penalized,” the WTA said.

“Whether it’s verbal words of encouragement or a few words when their player is on the same side of the court to any hand signals, such coaching as it takes place now from the box will be allowed.

Basically, what the WTA is saying is that coaching takes place from stands anyway, so why not formalize it.  I am not sure this is good for women’s tennis.  First, on-court coaching, and now this.  Can the players not figure it themselves on the court?

Juan Martin del Potro will undergo another knee surgery on Monday, January 27, 2020 in an attempt to return to tennis.  Del Potro’s team is hoping that this surgery will relieve his pain that prevented him not only from playing tennis but also affected his daily life.

That’s rough for del Potro.  He has struggled with injuries for many years. He was not able play with Federer during his Latin American tour late last year as a result of knee pain.