Aryna Sabalenka declines use of new coaching pod; Player reaction

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka opted not to use the new coaching pod during her first round round win over American Sloane Stephens, telling reporters post-match she's "not a big fan" of the new innovation at the Australian Open.

The new innovation this year allows coaches to sit directly courtside in a pod, just a few metres away from the player, equipped with screens showing match data and player stats, which players can also access

The new pod only allows for coaching and support staff, with friends and other people associated with the player to remain in the stands.

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Coaches are allowed to communicate with players verbally or non-verbally at any time apart from mid-point.

Despite all the new features and advantages afforded to players at this year's tournament, the women's world No.1 declined to use the pod, with her team sitting in the stands.

"Honestly, I'm not a big fan of the decision," said 26-year-old Belarusian. "Or if you do that, then make more seats. Me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see all the people in my box. For me that's important.

"Sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support, for example. I just didn't want to have to look at the coach first, then look in the box. I have a lot of coaches. Four seats is not enough!

"So we decided to put everyone in the box. Maybe they were kind of tight there and not comfortable, but I was comfortable to see all of them."

Players and coaches of yesteryear had to work around the rules of non-communication in order to sustain the effort on court.

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Traditionalists have yet to warm to the idea, even star Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas called it "weird", although he backed the the rule to be installed at all tournaments.

"I actually laughed when I saw them yesterday," he said during his pre-tournament press conference.

"I was playing with Jannik (Sinner). I don't know. It was kind of weird. It's weird.

"You know why it's weird? Because I see my coaches and some other team members in a particular box and the rest of them upstairs, which, I don't know – I'm not used to it.

Alexander Zverev Sr (L) and Mischa Zverev (R) are seen in the coaching pod of Alexander Zverev. Getty

"I guess I will acclimatise at some point, but I wish to see those things applied into tennis and see matches change because of what a coach has to say."

Alexander Zverev was also a vocal critic on Sunday night.

"I hate it," he said, jokingly.

"There's innovation in all sports. Tennis is getting innovation as well.

"I'm not sure what kind of innovation that is. But we're moving forward, the world is moving forward. That's the way it is."

While some of the biggest stars in the game have not warmed to the idea, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley believes coaches will eventually make the change to sit courtside.

"We tested it this week, and some coaches were a bit sceptical at first, but then they sat down and said, 'This is great'," Tiley told The Age.

"I think we're going to find much more than the majority will actually sit on the court. You have a great sight line of your player after every point.

"When they come and get their towel, you can talk to them, so you're almost, in effect, able to coach your player after each point, if you want to."

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