Federer no fan of on-court coaching

Roger Federer, something of a tennis purist, hopes the innovation of on-court coaching adopted on the WTA Tour doesn't come to men's tennis.

"If it does happen, it's hopefully after I'm done playing," the 17-time Grand Slam champion said Thursday after booking his semi-final berth at Indian Wells, where the ATP Masters tournament is combined with a WTA event.

"I really don't think it's necessary. I don't think it's fair maybe, because not everybody can afford a coach ....it's just not right."

The WTA has allowed limited on-court coaching since 2009, with players able to call for their coaches at one changeover per set, and between sets.

It isn't allowed in Grand Slam tournaments, and Federer conjured a dire picture of what could happen if the ATP Tour adopted a similar rule.

"We'll see girlfriends walking out, we'll see parents walking out. It's not going to be pretty," said Federer, who was also wary of the Hawkeye electronic line call review system when it was introduced.

The subject of coaching came up after Thursday's WTA quarter-final clash between Flavia Pennetta and Sloane Stephens, in which Pennetta, up a set and 5-4, called her coach out for a chat on the changeover and promptly dropped three games and the set.

"Clearly when the coach comes on and they go on a losing streak, that wasn't helpful," Federer said with a smile.

Mainly, however, Federer said he believed that the individual nature of the sport was part of its attraction.

"It's cool to figure it out yourself," Federer said. "You can look over to your coach for comfort and support, but other than that, I think tennis should be one of those unique sports where you don't get coaching."

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.