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One of the more intriguing and yet still controversial aspects of the WTA tour is the use of on-court coaching during matches. Players are allowed to see their coach, or someone acting as one, at least once during each set. And whether or not the coaching helps players who find themselves down in a match, the simple break in action can take on a drama all its own depending on the player and coach involved.

Just today during her loss to Jelena Jankovic in Madrid, Ana Ivanovic called for her coach Heinz Gunthardt for some advice. Though Ivanovic complained throughout she wasn't able to see the ball clearly, Gunthardt midly chided her for "choking" the match away after Ivanovic was up a set and a break. These tough love commentaries, especially when in English, provide their own mini soap operas or comic relief depending on the pairing involved.

During her loss to Venus Williams in Miami earlier this year, Daniela Hantuchova called for her coach, the very astute Darren Cahill to help her navigate the Williams return game. Cahill offered a gem of advice when he told his frustrated charge, that "Venus is going to attack your serve. She (Venus) always brings it. You know that." Cahill did offer some tactical advice and words of encouragement as well, but the body language between the two was enough to tell the viewer that Hantuchova, at least in her own mind, wasn't convinced she could win.

Finally, the best coach/player performance has to go to Caroline Wozniacki and her father, Piotr, who serves as her coach. Piotr often comes out during each of Wozniacki's matches and although their conversations are always in Polish, the animated way Piotr tells his charge what she's doing wrong  peppered in with a few "Carolina, Carolina" while his young daughter grumpily looks off in the distance is good enough to be its own sitcom on Polsat.

So the next time you're watching a WTA match, don't run into the kitchen to grab a drink during a changeover. You might just be treated to an extra helping of drama or comedy, depending on the scoreline.

Erik Gudris is a writer and media consultant based in Los Angeles. He moderates the tennis news site Adjustingthenet.com.


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