Coco Vandeweghe’s mid-match TV interview at US Open breaks new ground, but not all players are fans

Coco Vandeweghe defeated Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3 at the US Open on Monday but it was her decision to grant a television interview mid-match that caused a stir.

After wrapping up the first set on Louis Armstrong Court, the 23-year-old American was joined by ESPN pundit and former player Pam Shriver for a courtside chat during the changeover.

Vandeweghe admitted she could not remember what she told Shriver but insisted that although she had agreed to ESPN’s request on the eve of the match, she retained the option to change her mind at the last minute.

“I could say it two seconds before I walked out on the court. I gave her the nod to go ahead, and then it happened,” she said.

Vandeweghe said she believed the brief 30-second interview, which covered basic tennis conversation fillers such as being focused and aggressive, could be a winner with fans.

“Well, before it happened I was thinking maybe I might lose focus doing it. But then at the same time we have on-court coaching for WTA events,” she said.

“You could also lose focus in that way because you’re speaking to someone. I think it’s a positive. I think any innovation, it is a positive. So I see no harm in it.”

However, not all players shared her enthusiasm, with former world number one Caroline Wozniacki dismissing it as a fad.