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?