Sloane Stephens supports the coaching rule change in the field



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Former US Open champion, Sloane Stephens, has backed an incentive to allow field coaches to be allowed in Grand Slams.

Patrick Mouratoglou, coach of Serena Williams, called for a rule change. Field training is currently banned in Grand Slam, but allowed in WTA events.

The Frenchman was at the center of a firestorm after being seen signaling from the player's box during the controversial US Open between Williams and Naomi Osaka.

Mouratoglou later acknowledged the gesture, but Williams insisted that she had not seen the signal.

"Allow a competing coach and stage it so that viewers can enjoy it, as a show would ensure that it remains an essential part of the sport."

Sloane, who is in Singapore for the season that ends in the WTA's eight-player final, echoed Mouratoglou's sentiments.

"I think there's a lot of coaching in the stands anyway," she told reporters Saturday. "Whether it's good, bad, whatever, I think training is a big part of tennis and you're alone. You know, he goes a lot behind the scenes, the preparation and everything.

"So, I think I can not say for sure that there should be or should not be, but I think there must be a small change in the rule, definitely."

Sloane said that field training had created a connection between players and fans.

"I think coaching on the field brings that aspect of your feeling that you're more involved with the player and the coach, and I think it makes it more of a personal thing," she says.

"Whereas when they are off the field and you do not see the coach, do not see the interaction, do not see the dynamics of the team, it makes you distant."

The 25-year-old will make her debut in the WTA Finals Monday against Osaka in a battle between the last two champions of the US Open.

Sloane Stephens supported a change to the rule banning Grand Slam field training

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