Cahill 'iffy' about on-court coaching, says 'a lot of players rely on it too much'

Darren Cahill, Simona Halep's coach, says he plans to use on-court coaching less as the two keep working together.

Speaking as a commentator on ESPN, Cahill responded to a question about on-court coaching by saying he was "iffy on it, to be honest," and intends to reduce the use of it.

"I know I employ it on the WTA tour, with my role as the coach of Simona Halep,” he said. “We're using it a lot at the moment, as she learns my ways and I learn more about her.”

But the Australian added that in the next few months, "I don't think you'll be seeing me use it as much with Simona."

Cahill explained why he isn’t a huge proponent of the practice.

“You don't get to use it at the Grand Slams,” he said, “and it's very important that the players problem-solve by themselves."

During the broadcast, Brad Gilbert—also a coach and commentator—said he was very much in favor of allowing on-court coaching on both tours.

Halep frequently requested to see her coach in Key Biscayne. She did so up 5-2 in the second set of her second-round match against Daria Kasatkina, when Cahill asked if she had indeed asked to see him.

She also called him over on two consecutive breaks while up against Timea Bacsinszky in the quarterfinals. Cahill appeared to have little instruction to give, and she said little herself when the two spoke again at 3-0 down in the third set.

On-court coaching is allowed once a set on the WTA tour, and when the opponent takes a break, but not at Grand Slams or on the ATP tour.

Other players have attracted attention for their coaching visits recently, with former player Lindsay Davenport saying on the Tennis Channel that some of these interactions do “not reflect well” on the players. Garbine Muguruza, for example, was criticized for her attitude during a coaching visit from Sam Sumyk in Indian Wells.

Cahill also used on-court coaching during his previous position as a coaching consultant for several Adidas players, including Halep. He officially became Halep's coach during the offseason.

The 50-year-old, who has also coached Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, said speaking with a player during a match was "very handy" because a coach could see what was happening in pressure moments.

"That's when you learn the most about the player," he said “…I wouldn't have had the chance to experience that. So there's a lot of advantages to it, and I also know, from a TV perspective, people like it … I'm still a little bit iffy about it because I think a lot of players rely on it too much and they need it too much. But I can see the positive of it, as well."

He suggested that Halep should have less of a need to call him on court.

"A coach's responsibility is to teach the player to solve the problems themselves, as well,” he said.

Halep is No. 5 in the WTA rankings.