Professional Tennis - Catering to the Spectators

Throughout the year, the team at Tennis Habitat receives piles of emails suggesting changes and enhancements that should be made to better enjoy the sport that we love so much. Some suggest additions to public courts and parks. Others comment on rule changes to get more out of the USTA league season experience. A select few even beg for my resignation every now and then “so they don’t have to read my stupid blogs”(by the way, I delete those emails before my boss gets them). Today I noticed several suggestions on how televised tennis matches could be improved to benefit the viewers at home. I’ll be honest. That topic was a little lame, so I decided to take your suggestions and combine them with my own. Without further delay, here are your (and my) top 4 suggestions:

1. Camera Angles –

Your Suggestion: Many suggested shooting the match from ground level, rather than from an elevated position because viewers could appreciate how fast the ball is moving in relation to the court.

My Take: I like that, but maybe add an element of uncertainty. Randomly zoom into the players face – mid-point, then pan to the chair umpire for no reason. Finally return to the normal shot. Why? If you don’t know when you are going to see good action, you will watch more carefully – hoping to see it all. It would also bring a new dimention to the commentary. (Picture McEnroe saying "I didn't realize Sharapova had such big ears..oh, there's the umpire..oh, nice backhand")

2. Atmosphere –

Your Suggestion: Some believe that a “Davis Cup” element should be encouraged at every event. Crazy, rowdy fans, music on changeovers and the wave all contribute to a energized event.

My Take: I like where you are going with this, but why stop there? If I am understanding you, and I think I am, you want to cater to the fans more than the athletes. In that case, hire a professional “motivation crew” to populate the stands and work the crowd. Allow them to irritate the athletes as well. The French do this all of the time, I am told, with great success. As far as music, maybe go with a hockey style DJ to randomly play music and sound effects during the points.

3. Interviews –

Your Suggestion: Currently, most interviews are conducted just before and/or just after the match. Why not between sets to discuss strategy and adjustments that will be made? Kind of like the NBA does.

My Take: Great idea. Tennis Channel tried it for a little bit with pretty good success. I would put a different spin on it, though. How about having the opponent’s coach do the interview and attempt to dishearten the player. Maybe offer bogus advice as well. Another thought would be to do parts of it in an entirely different language.

4. Spirit –

Your suggestion: Event sponsors should supply promotional items to fans in support of their favorite player currently on the court. The NBA supplies towels, noise-makers and signs to fans supporting the home team.

My Take: Wow. It’s like we share the same brain…except I have the bigger piece. Let me expand on this for a minute. The event should run with this idea and have giant mascots who look like the players stand beside the ball kids and mock their opponents as they towel off. (picture a giant Nadal mascot verbally abusing Roger Federer - in spanish) They could also sit beside the opponent at changeovers and simply stare at them for the entire 3 minutes. Between sets, the two mascots could then square off against each other to excite the crowd and viewers at home.