"Coaching or not coaching, that's a big problem" - Fabio Fognini questions Stefanos Tsitsipas' interactions with his father during matches

Fabio Fognini was far from pleased with Stefanos Tsitsipas when the two met in the second round of the Monte-Carlo Masters on Tuesday. The reigning champion thrashed Fognini 6-3, 6-0 to seal his place in the third round of the competition.

During the match, Tsitsipas was seen talking to his father on multiple occasions, which Fognini did not seem to like. This was evident from the Italian's cold handshake with the World No. 5 after the match.

Fognini later took to social media to express his displeasure with Tsitsipas and his coaching team.

"Coaching or not coaching, that's a big problem," Fognini wrote on Instagram.

This is not the first time players have hit out at Tsitsipas for his interactions with his father during matches.

During the Greek's 2022 Australian Open semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev, the Russian had a heated discussion with the chair umpire regarding the same.

"Are you stupid?" Medvedev asked the chair umpire. "Are you mad? And his father can talk every point? His father can talk every point? Answer my question!

"Will you answer my question? he continued. "Can you answer my question please? Can his father talk every point? Oh my god! Oh my god! You are so bad, man! My god, how can you be so bad in a semi-final of a Grand Slam? Look at me! I am talking to you! Give him a coaching [violation] - because he is talking every point. What time? I am talking."

Stefanos Tsitsipas calls for coaching on every point to be allowed in tennis

Stefanos Tsitsipas training in Monte-Carlo

In the wake of several controversial incidents involving on-court coaching, Stefanos Tsitsipas wrote on social media that coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis.

The Greek feels allowing coaches to interact with their players will help the sport take a big step forward.

"Coaching on every point should be allowed in tennis," Tsitsipas wrote. "The sport needs to embrace it. We’re probably one of the only global sports that doesn’t use coaching during the play. Make it legal. It's about time the sport takes a big step forward."

Tsitsipas, who is on a six-match win streak in Monte-Carlo, will next take on Laslo Djere for a place in the quarterfinals.

Despite his recent struggles, the Greek is among the favorites to win the Monte-Carlo Masters.