2019 Australian Open, Melbourne - ATP GRAND SLAM

[Denis]

I don't want to take away your confidence. But Shapovalov was throwing the match away with his ineptitude, until Djokovic found a way to complicate his own life in the 3rd. That was dumb. Going forward, he can't afford to lose this much focus. That was a big lapse. Maybe he was just bored, because Shapo was so lame, so he distracted himself.

Oh don’t worry, you won’t. Regardless, since 2017 I am happy with every match Novak wins.

 

[britbox]

I didn't want to say it. But Courier is one of my least favorite interviewers. His commentary is alright. But he's just not my favorite. He's one of the more accomplished commentators, as far as his career. So he gets a lot of leeway. But I just put up with him.

Much prefer Wilander on Eurosport with Game, Schett and Mats (literally listening to it right now) and his in match commentary. And McEnroe (either one actually), but mostly John.

Of course the best commentators are the non greats of the game. Your Drysdale's and Robby Koenigs and the other Drysdale. I can't remember the dudes name. But I used to confuse him for Drysdale.

Hey TP8, I used to watch a lot of Eurosport coverage - Is Frew McMillan still doing commentary? He was always one my faves. I like Mats as in-game commentator, particularly with his analysis on strategy and adjustments. Not really a fan of JP Mac in the box. I like Woodbridge in Oz and Henman in the UK is pretty good.

 

[Moxie]

It's not so much what he asks but the length of time he keeps them out there. After one of the Federer matches, the Swiss was out there so long I thought they were putting together a box set series for Netflix.

On top of it, then they go to the press box. Surely they've run out of sports cliches by then.

 

[britbox]

That actually probably has less to do with Courier. He's probably been told to milk it because the AO and every tournament in the world knows that they're biggest seller is any of these guys from the Big 3. People don't just want to watch them play. They want to watch them do anything and everything. And they are a business. Gotta sell tickets. The TV people probably tell Courier and the tournament the same thing. Better ratings.

Probably. As Vince mentioned, the coverage hasn't got better since Channel 9 won the rights.

 

[britbox]

On top of it, then they go to the press box. Surely they've run out of sports cliches by then.

Exactly.

 

[britbox]

Then again... these are first world problems... the coverage is pretty exceptional if you compare it to a decade ago.

 

[Moxie]

I didn't want to say it. But Courier is one of my least favorite interviewers. His commentary is alright. But he's just not my favorite. He's one of the more accomplished commentators, as far as his career. So he gets a lot of leeway. But I just put up with him.

Much prefer Wilander on Eurosport with Game, Schett and Mats (literally listening to it right now) and his in match commentary. And McEnroe (either one actually), but mostly John.

Of course the best commentators are the non greats of the game. Your Drysdale's and Robby Koenigs and the other Drysdale. I can't remember the dudes name. But I used to confuse him for Drysdale.

Surely you mean Jason Goodall. He and Robby Koenig are the best team ever.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Hey TP8, I used to watch a lot of Eurosport coverage - Is Frew McMillan still doing commentary? He was always one my faves. I like Mats as in-game commentator, particularly with his analysis on strategy and adjustments. Not really a fan of JP Mac in the box. I like Woodbridge in Oz and Henman in the UK is pretty good.

I love Frewwww! He's great. I think he is. I can't necessarily pick them all immediately. But I don't think I've heard Frew so far this year. Can't be sure though. And yeah. Mats is best at the analysis and strategy and adjustments. The best I think. Literally my favorite. But these guys like Frew and Cliff and Koenig have been doing it SO long they know SO much too. I actually don't know Woodbridge or Henman as commentators. Or I don't remember them anyways.

The South African's are the best.

 

[Moxie]

Then again... these are first world problems... the coverage is pretty exceptional if you compare it to a decade ago.

Yes, and they really can't complain about saying the same things over again, for their $75000 round.

 

[Moxie]

I love Frewwww! He's great. I think he is. I can't necessarily pick them all immediately. But I don't think I've heard Frew so far this year. Can't be sure though. And yeah. Mats is best at the analysis and strategy and adjustments. The best I think. Literally my favorite. But these guys like Frew and Cliff and Koenig have been doing it SO long they know SO much too. I actually don't know Woodbridge or Henman as commentators. Or I don't remember them anyways.

The South African's are the best.

Kieran always loved Frew. We don't get him here. I must look him up.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Surely you mean Jason Goodall. He and Robby Koenig are the best team ever.

Yeah it's probably Jason Goodall. For some reason I don't recognize his name as much. But if that's Koenig's regular booth mate then yeah. He's great. Though I don't think it's Jason Goodall that I'm considering the other Drysdale. I may be mistaken. But I feel like there is a deeper voiced commentator out there that I confuse for Drysdale and I cannot remember his dang name.

 

[Denis]

I love the game schett and matts show.

Boris Becker is okay, has insight.

Don’t like JMac. Bombastic American.

 

[Moxie]

Yeah it's probably Jason Goodall. For some reason I don't recognize his name as much. But if that's Koenig's regular booth mate then yeah. He's great. Though I don't think it's Jason Goodall that I'm considering the other Drysdale. I may be mistaken. But I feel like there is a deeper voiced commentator out there that I confuse for Drysdale and I cannot remember his dang name.

Goodall is English, and he does have rather a deep voice. Around the timbre of Drysdale. I can't think of who else.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

I love the game schett and matts show.

Boris Becker is okay, has insight.

Don’t like JMac. Bombastic American.

I do find Johnny Mac as bombastic. And I am an American. But he has some really solid analysis and strategy comments as well. He perhaps fits the overly confident American male too well. But when he's just talking tennis... I mean he's still one of the most talented men, if not the most talented man, to ever pick up a racket. Just understands the game, in any era, better than most ever can. Even among the other greats.

When it comes to Americans. I'm hit or miss with Mary Carillo. Like, she's been dedicated and I credit her for that. And he voice fits commentary, though I have come to find it grating sometimes. But sometimes I appreciate her and sometimes I hate her.

I'm not much of fan of Chris Evert as a commentator. But I like to love Tracy Austin when you can get her.
Of course we lost Dick Enberg a couple years ago. It was always night to have Bud Collins in the booth, even though journalism was his main thing. And I don't mind Chris Fowler. Probably just his voice is nice I guess.
And I think I usually like when Lindsey Davenport is in the booth. Can't entirely remember though.
But Chris Evert's transition into the booth has been one of my least favorite things over the last few years.
I don't mind Navratilova. Though, she is pretty much all game and strategy and analysis. She doesn't really have the personality for commentating.

 

[Moxie]

Exactly.

TBH, I don't think anyone needs the on-court interview post every match. The winners/losers speeches are painful enough on the last day. Unless they're going to be at least fairly funny (I posted the Nadal one,) or reveal actual gossip (like the Svitolina/Monfils romance revelation,) then you should totally skip it.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Probably. As Vince mentioned, the coverage hasn't got better since Channel 9 won the rights.

And I was thinking. Courier was also probably drawing it out because Novak was the last match of the day session. They had time to kill while everyone gets ready to leave and let the night session folks in. I'm not sure why I'm defending Courier so much after saying I'm not a big fan of his. But these things just came to me.

 

[Moxie]

I do find Johnny Mac as bombastic. And I am an American. But he has some really solid analysis and strategy comments as well. He perhaps fits the overly confident American male too well. But when he's just talking tennis... I mean he's still one of the most talented men, if not the most talented man, to ever pick up a racket. Just understands the game, in any era, better than most ever can. Even among the other greats.

When it comes to Americans. I'm hit or miss with Mary Carillo. Like, she's been dedicated and I credit her for that. And he voice fits commentary, though I have come to find it grating sometimes. But sometimes I appreciate her and sometimes I hate her.

I'm not much of fan of Chris Evert as a commentator. But I like to love Tracy Austin when you can get her.
Of course we lost Dick Enberg a couple years ago. It was always night to have Bud Collins in the booth, even though journalism was his main thing. And I don't mind Chris Fowler. Probably just his voice is nice I guess.
And I think I usually like when Lindsey Davenport is in the booth. Can't entirely remember though.
But Chris Evert's transition into the booth has been one of my least favorite things over the last few years.
I don't mind Navratilova. Though, she is pretty much all game and strategy and analysis. She doesn't really have the personality for commentating.

It means a lot to me that you're at least not on the anti-Mary Carillo train. So many are. I think she's smart and funny. I don't mind the goofy.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

TBH, I don't think anyone needs the on-court interview post every match. The winners/losers speeches are painful enough on the last day. Unless they're going to be at least fairly funny (I posted the Nadal one,) or reveal actual gossip (like the Svitolina/Monfils romance revelation,) then you should totally skip it.

I saw La Monf in her box when I watched her match briefly. I was like.... are they.... Good to have it confirmed. A bit of an age difference there though. He's like 32 now. And she's still only 24. I guess it's closer than Stepanek/Vaidsova and Stepanek/Kvitova. I just looked that up by the way to confirm that I had it right. And apparently they got back together and got married against because they're gonna have a baby! Crazy relationship for those two.

And I'm still so very sad and annoyed we never got to have Vaidisova healthy for very long. She was so exciting in 2007 or so. I hate how many players we lose to injuries.

Like Radwanska. Retiring at 29. In an age when ladies are thriving into their mid 30s. Just the worst. And Bencic's progress was hampered. And Monfils' career was probably ruined by repeated injuries. Though, his need for flair and lack of consistency were the main issues. Soderling's back issues. Safina's back issues (never a fan, but still). And the mid tier guys we learn about after the fact. Like Baker and Kubler.
Tracy Austin perhaps the epitome of this issue.

 

[AnonymousFan]

I watch Courier and McEnroe on the legends tour, McEnroe still usually beats him in recent years in the one set match format lol

Has an overall winning record too, but more lopsided in recent years I think

 

[Denis]

TBH, I don't think anyone needs the on-court interview post every match. The winners/losers speeches are painful enough on the last day. Unless they're going to be at least fairly funny (I posted the Nadal one,) or reveal actual gossip (like the Svitolina/Monfils romance revelation,) then you should totally skip it.

I agree, there is a press conference afterwards, a better setting for a good conversation.