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Fail To Prepare, Prepare To Fail – How tennis needs to change for the future

By Darren Kenny

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the fans after winning the Men's Singles Final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 02: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates with the fans after winning the Men's Singles Final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 02, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) /
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Switzerland’s Roger Federer signs autographs after his victory against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics during their men’s singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Switzerland’s Roger Federer signs autographs after his victory against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics during their men’s singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images) /

Fan Interaction

Golf and Tennis are different sports, but in many ways the similarities are uncanny. Both are individual sports, played by people of all ages across the globe. Both sports involve players hitting a ball with a piece of equipment manufactured to create power, spin, and feel, yet both sports are broadcasted in very different ways.

Golf broadcasters know that everyone is a little bit vain, and in all honesty, we all want to know how similar we play to the pros. When watching golf, the commentators let us know every single detail of a player’s upcoming shot from the club used, distance to the pin, weather conditions, and the lie of the ball.

Related Story. 3 reasons why the UTS was a major success for tennis. light

In tennis, they occasionally let us know if a player has served over 130mph. There’s not enough emphasis on the technique & skill used by players to pull off the shots they do. Tennis players might only play with one racket, but the array of different shots and movements required to reach the echelon of the game is vast.

The ATP, in conjunction with broadcasters and tournament organizers, could engage fans by providing insights such as technical analysis, courtside camera angles, and shot-making clinics with the players themselves, as seen often on the PGA Tour.

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