This is going to be short and sweet.  If you think golf is elitist, Saturday it lost its oft-deserved title to professional tennis.  This is not to take anything away from Naomi Osaka who demonstrated her star power and class and who I believe would have won her first grand slam title without the help of the chair umpire.

When I think of elitists, I immediately conjure up people who make rules which defy common sense.  The incident which triggered the chaos during the U.S. Open women’s final was Serena Williams’ coach (admittedly) making a hand gesture, suggesting the 23 time grand slam champion needed to rush the net more often.  A one point penalty was assessed when the chair umpire Carlos Ramos alleged Williams may have actually observed her coach Patrick Mouratoglu’s body language.  When Williams argued the call, she was given a one-game penalty.

What makes tennis such a senseless anomaly?  A boxer has a corner man who can remind him not to drop his guard or change his rhythm when delivering multiple punches.  A caddie can help a golfer align a putt or pick out the right club.  A baseball coach can stop the action to point out a mechanics issue with a pitcher’s motion or recommend a realignment of outfielders.  A football coach can call time out to advise his quarterback.  How many times have sports fans marveled when a struggling team has turned a game around?  Often it is a third party observer who picks up on the nuance which turns a loss into a win. For example, I am no fan of Nick Sabin, but couldn’t help but wonder what he must have said during half-time of last year’s college championship game.  Whatever it was, it turned an embarrassing rout into another national title.  Can you imagine a football coach being told he cannot talk to his players during half-time?

And don’t we want to see every athlete compete at their best.  How many times have athletes in individual sports shared credit with “their team” for their success.  Golfers will talk about how a caddie reminded them to calm down and take a deep breath during a close match when the player’s adrenaline kicks in.  Who do the guardians of tennis think they are that they would deprive someone of a resource which could raise their level of play?

Not only should a hand gesture be permitted.  A tennis coach should be allowed to sit on the sideline, able to talk with his/her charge during the break when the players change sides of the court.  Just imagine trying to justify such a rule in any other sports.  And the tennis gods wonder why the sport is declining in popularity.  Watch a replay of the confrontation between Serena Williams and Carlos Ramos.  There is your answer.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP