Right Or Wrong?

[RJD11]

Stanislas Wawrinka was unhappy that the chair umpire didn’t intervene to stop Rafael Nadal from receiving coaching at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday.

Wawrinka voiced his displeasure after a 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) loss to Nadal, who is coached by his uncle, Toni Nadal.

“It’s nothing personal against Rafa or against Toni,” Wawrinka said. “We all know, players and umpires, that Toni is always trying to help Rafa. That’s normal. That’s part of the game. But when it’s too much, it’s too much.

Toni Nadal has acknowledged talking to his nephew during matches, a practice that has irked Roger Federer, drawn a fine at Wimbledon and sparked plenty of discussion in the media. Toni denies that he communicates tactics, as The New York Times reported in 2010:

Toni Nadal does not deny that he offers advice from the box. He says the rules against coaching from the box are antiquated and need to be changed. “I think all the sports make an evolution,” he said. “It’s not natural that you pay a coach and this coach travels to Australia and to New York to watch his player and he can’t say nothing.”

He said he was trying to curb his tongue — against his instincts — lest he become a distraction to Nadal.

“I say not too much,” he said with a smile. “Always I say things like ‘Come on’ or ‘Move your legs.’ I am not saying tactics. I don’t know how to win a match.”


http://tennis.si.com/2013/11/06/stanislas-wawrinka-rafael-nadal-coaching/?sct=obinsite

 

[Kieran]

Lots of people shout, "come on", so if that's what he's saying, it's not coaching. "Move your legs?" How can Rafa distinguish his voice from the crowd at Flushing Meadows?

I always thought of coaching from the sides involving a series of loaded mannerisms and tics: a scratched head means "follow the serve in" and when the coach picks his nose, it means, "bang it onto his backhand, dummy!"

I'm not sure how much Toni can influence Rafa on court without becoming a hindrance or, as he says, a distraction. Players are very intense out there and they know what they can do and not do. Somebody shouting tactics from the crowd isn't always going to be helpful. So maybe Toni mouths off - and should be shut up - but at the same time, Rafa is either oblivious or unaffected. He has his own mind. He won plenty tournaments when Toni isn't there.

Right or wrong - coaching during matches?

Wrong...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Toni is clearly becoming a liability to Nadal in this regard. While I personally would not
hold it against Nadal, I think if the rules permit Nadal should be docked a point as there
is no way to punish Toni alone in this matter by ATP.

Some of these people push the envelope. Maria's father even used to tell her
when she should eat a banana even in days when coaching was not allowed by WTA.

 

[tented]

Toni is clearly becoming a liability to Nadal in this regard. While I personally would not
hold it against Nadal, I think if the rules permit Nadal should be docked a point as there
is no way to punish Toni alone in this matter by ATP.

Some of these people push the envelope. Maria's father even used to tell her
when she should eat a banana even in days when coaching was not allowed by WTA.

From the 2013 ATP Rulebook:

Coaching and Coaches
i) Players shall not receive coaching during a tournament match. Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching. Coaches on-site are prohibited from:

aa) Using an audible obscenity or making obscene gestures of any kind.

bb) Abusing any official, opponent, spectator or other person, verbally or physically.

cc) Engaging in conduct contrary to the integrity of the game of tennis. Conduct contrary to the integrity of the game shall include, but not be limited to, comments to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage a tournament, sponsor, player, official or the ATP. Responsible expressions of legitimate disagreement with the ATP policies are not prohibited. However, public comments that one of the stated persons above knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation or financial best interest of a tournament, player, sponsor, official or the ATP are expressly covered by this section.

ii) Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to $5,000 for each violation. In addition, if such violation occurs during a match, the player shall be penalized in accordance with the Point Penalty Schedule. In circumstances that are flagrant and particularly injurious to the success of a tournament, or are singularly egregious, the supervisor shall have the authority to relocate the position of a coach if there is reasonable belief that coaching is occurring or the supervisor may order the coach to be removed from the match site or tournament site and upon his failure to comply with such order, may declare an immediate default of such player.

The Point Penalty Schedule to be used for Code Violations is as follows:
FIRST OFFENSE - WARNING
SECOND OFFENSE - POINT PENALTY
THIRD AND EACH SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE - GAME PENALTY
However, after the third Code Violation, the supervisor shall determine whether each subsequent offense shall constitute a default.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

So, clearly Wawrinka deserved a point as a penalty against Nadal/Toni. This is because
the referee had already issued a warning to Nadal and co, before Wawrinka brought it up again.
It was a second offense and Nadal got away because the umpire got chickened to give a
penalty against a top player.

This routinely happens in basketball where they don't call foul on top players.