Nadal suggests ATP should allow in-match coaching

NEW YORK - Rafael Nadal figured out a change of tactics on his own, so he didn't need the help.

But he thinks it's ''a little bit stupid'' that players can't talk to their coaches during matches.

He says that players ''have a coach traveling for you, with you during the whole season and practicing with you every day, and is a little bit stupid that in the most important moment, he cannot tell you anything.''

Nadal talked strategy with his uncle Toni and Carlos Moya before the match, but it was up to him to decide to hit away from Juan Martin del Potro's backhand after feeling he was too predictable while winning the first set.

The US Open did experiment with in-match coaching in events outside the main draw in singles and doubles, allowing verbal coaching from the player box when the player and coach were on the same end of the court, and signal coaching when they were at opposite ends.

Sounds like Nadal would embrace that change.

He says in his opinion it ''will be good if - I don't know if the coach has to come on court, but would be good if the coach can talk.''