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3 reasons why the UTS was a huge success for tennis

By Brandon Daniels

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates winning his Men's Singles first round match against Salvatore Caruso of Italy on day one of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece celebrates winning his Men's Singles first round match against Salvatore Caruso of Italy on day one of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) /
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Former US tennis player John McEnroe interviews Switzerland’s Roger Federer after his victory against Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin after their men’s singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 14, 2019. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Former US tennis player John McEnroe interviews Switzerland’s Roger Federer after his victory against Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin after their men’s singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 14, 2019. (Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images) /

Player intimacy brings fans closer to their favorite stars

One of the big changes that the UTS made in their rules were the establishment of mid-match interviews. Players had a headset and were able to talk with the broadcasting booth and the fans had full coverage. Players were also allowed coaching timeouts that were done via headset and broadcasted for fans, as well.

In a traditional tennis match, fans have no feeling of connection with the players. The players play and the fans watch. Any feelings of emotion that a player has, whether that be a smashed racket of anger or a primal yell of euphoria, feels distant and disconnected.

The UTS puts fans right in the thick of the action. It gives the feeling that they’re on the court right beside the player as they listen in to a coaching timeout or an interview at the end of a quarter.

"“[The Ultimate Tennis Showdown] will allow for fans to rediscover the players for who they really are and what they stand for.”"

Fans can experience not only the top players but the lesser-known ones too, all at a more personal level. It adds a connection that isn’t anywhere close to present in traditional tennis. Fans will know how their favorite player reacts and feels throughout a tennis match. It’s something that’s present in major sports but yet to come into effect in tennis.

The UTS is doing just that. How the rules and setup will fit into traditional matches and tournaments is anyone’s guess. For the next couple of years, it’ll likely remain a once-a-year exhibition event that will add new rules as a testing site.

Next. 5 NextGen ATP players primed for a 2021 breakout. dark

If the ATP and WTA are in favor of a few rule changes, the UTS’ format and UFC-style additions could make its way into regular tournaments. It’s a youth movement and a long overdue one, at that.

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