The Australian Open is reportedly set to become the first grand slam to allow on-court coaching in the wake of the Serena Williams coaching furore at the US Open.

A report from American media claims Tennis Australia and Australian Open officials have already begun planning to allow coaching at the 2020 Open — making this year’s event the last one where all forms of coaching are banned once players have stepped out onto court.

It comes after Williams’ US Open meltdown resulted in some calling for the rules surrounding coaching to be overhauled after the 23-time grand slam champion was ultimately hit with a game penalty in the final against Naomi Osaka for three separate code violations, including a coaching violation when chair umpire Carlos Ramos ruled the American star had been receiving coaching from mentor Patrick Mouratoglou, who was sitting in her players box.

It has sparked an ongoing debate about the grey rules which govern what constitutes coaching and what constitutes supporting from courtside coaches.

The Australian Open is now set to be the first slam to buckle to the pressure, and will this year reportedly reach out to players to players before making a final decision on whether to allow coaches to instruct their players during matches.

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim has told the Tennis Channel the Australian Open is likely to be the first slam to bring in the new rules, before the US Open is expected to follow suit.

“I was talking to an executive at Tennis Australia and he said don’t be surprised if by this time next year both the Australian Open and US Open have this,” he said.

“Remember, the majors have a certain amount of latitude when it comes to setting policy. We saw this year they changed the decisive tie-break in the matches and next year we know US Open has wanted on court coaching. Australian Open now says they are going to confer with the players. I was told by 2020 don’t be surprised if two of the four majors have mid-match on-court coaching.”

The report immediately sent shockwaves across the tennis world with tennis traditionalists going public with their criticism of the Australian Open’s decision.

American tennis great Tracy Austin was one of several tennis commentators to caution against the dramatic shift.

Say it ain’t so @AustralianOpen! 😱🤦‍♀️Just reported on @TennisChannel that Australian Open might allow on court coaching by 2020 event! Problem solving ability a wonderful aspect of our sport that makes it special/unique. #OneOnOne #IndividualEmotionalManagement — Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) January 20, 2019

The way I hear it, they're more likely to allow the coaching from the stands, as was used in qualifying this year (and at the US Open) — Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 20, 2019

The issue of coaching in the women’s game has continued to rage even at the Australian Open with word No. 1 Simona Halep accused of blatant coaching earlier in the tournament.

The incident was not in anyway sanctioned or even acknowledged by the Australian Open and WTA.

Under the existing rules coaching and even signalling from coaches sitting in the stands is forbidden.

“Players shall not receive coaching during a match (including the warm-up). Communications of any kind, audible or visible, between a player and a coach may be construed as coaching,” the existing WTA rules for grand slams states.

Under the rules, chair umpires and tournament officials have the powers to have coaches removed from stadiums and tennis sites if it is believed that coaching is taking place.