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Australian Open: Petra Kvitova coach Jiri Vanek ignites sexism row with comments on in-game coaching
- Czech coach was asked about on-court coaching after eighth seed’s defeat of Amanda Anisimova
- On-court coaching banned at grand slam events
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The coach of world number six Petra Kvitova has sparked debate over sexism in tennis after comments made at the Australian Open.
“Last year I was thinking about for sure in women’s tennis they help them,” he said. “In men’s tennis they are more stronger, more tougher maybe like on the court,” said former professional player Jiri Vanek when asked about the broadening of on-court coaching.
Varek was speaking after Kivtova’s fourth round victory over Amanda Anisimova in Melbourne, which hands the eighth-seed a meeting with home favourite Ashleigh Barty on Monday.
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The Czech star, who has twice won Wimbledon, has been coached by Vanek since 2016.
Vanek previoulsy coached Karolina Pliskova from 2014 to 2016.
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On-court coaching is banned at grand slam events but allowed by the WTA.
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