( CNN ) -- Former world No . 1 Roger Federer had a simple message for those advocates of revamping tennis by allowing on-court coaches -- he hopes he will have retired if it ever happens . On-court discussion with coaches is currently banned at ATP Tour events , but female players are allowed to call for a coach under certain circumstances . Federer warned against rules changes in tennis following an effortless 7-5 6-1 quarterfinal victory over South Africa 's Kevin Anderson at the Indian Wells Masters -- a win that will see the Swiss star return to the top five of the world rankings . `` If it does happen , it 's hopefully after I 'm done playing , '' the 17-time grand slam champion told reporters after the match . `` I really do n't think it 's necessary . I do n't think it 's fair , maybe , because not everybody can afford a coach ... it 's just not right . '' Federer 's comments came after a coaching call appeared to not have quite the required effect in one of the day 's two women 's quarterfinals . Italian Flavia Pennetta was one set up against American starlet Sloane Stephens , and leading 5-4 in the second set , when she called for her coach . The Italian proceeded to lose the following three games , and the set , before rallying to take the match 6-4 5-7 6-4 . The rules , introduced in 2009 , allow for discussion at one changeover each set , and in between sets . Federer -- once also a vocal opponent of the Hawkeye ball-tracking review system -- defended the sport as a one-on-one battleground . `` It 's cool to figure it out yourself , '' added the 32-year-old . `` You can look over to your coach for comfort and support , but other than that , I think tennis should be one of those unique sports where you do n't get coaching . '' In little over an hour under the floodlights , Federer completed his 10th successive victory following his win at the Dubai Open earlier this month . Arriving at the tournament ranked No . 8 , Federer will re-enter the world 's top five next week , a position he occupied for more than a decade , before dropping out in August 2013 . Federer has not dropped a set this tournament and is looking for his fifth Indian Wells title as he heads into a semifinal clash with Alexandr Dolgopolov , who secured a 6-3 6-4 win over Canada 's Milos Raonic . Ukrainian Dolgopolov knocked out world No . 1 Rafael Nadal in the third round and he was in bullish mood ahead of his first semifinal at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event . `` I played good for three weeks , '' said the world No . 31 . `` I 'm confident enough to come out and play good tennis . Then , who knows ? I beat a lot of good players around here , so I would n't see why not win more matches . '' In the women 's draw , Pennetta will meet top-seed Li Na in the semifinals after China 's world No.2 triumphed in a competitive match against Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova . Na lost her opening service game , and appeared shaky , but eventually rallied to record a 6-3 4-6 6-3 victory in two hours and 36 minutes . Read . Djokovic survives Cilic scare .
Roger Federer wins at Indian Wells and hits out against on-court coaching . Federer : `` If it does happen , it 's hopefully after I 'm done playing '' Italy 's Flavia Pennetta and China 's Li Na set up WTA semifinal . America 's Bryan twins in doubles final , where they could meet Federer and Wawrinka .