Early US Open Preview

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

The media LOVES Kyrgios. It loves Tomic too. They are missing that they are public figures. Probably in Tomic's case distracted by his own personal saga and misery. Tomic if he even makes half an effort will get so much media coverage, positive coverage. Works both ways.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Harrison almost couldn't make it without media coverage until he figured out that the spotlight wasn't necessary for him to make his way in the sport.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Does any player really resent a positive profile on the ATP website or Tennis Channel? I doubt it. Bottom line, media is a fact of the sport. It's there and it helps the sport. Paparazzi not so much. My bit is always with local coverage and tennis analysts who aren't doing their jobs well and relying on out dated info. They aren't helping fans etc. And with tournament directors who don't seem to comprehend that empty seats look bad and actually are bad for the sport .

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

To me that never means well no one likes the sport! It means the tournaments aren't doing their jobs. Not in terms of sweeping the grounds etc or redoing locker rooms etc But promoting the sport and building an audience. They could always do demonstrations or exhibitions leading up to the tournament, or pit a few area college players against each other, or something. Most of the time it's just laziness if you have it people will come sort of thing. They didn't get the memo that charging a ton for the qualies rounds isn't going to bring in more fans later in the week.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Andrew - Hartt and I (and you) have talked about the empty seats problem but I don't know if there's a solution. Unoccupied corporate seats have always been a pain. Unfortunately they tend to be in the TV camera's sight line. Otherwise, you can't really force crowds to come if they don't want to. Could try offering seats to kids in holiday time though, things like that.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Karo Pliskova hits a phenom ball! Clean ball striker. I bet she gets the ping sound off the racquet. Feel like she's doomed at the top spot...safina syndrome where you're at the top perch but cant quite justify why you deserve it.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Catherine those corporations could always give those seats up to youth or something and have it announced on tv and radio. It's a lot better than the ghost town that are those rows and rows and rows of no one.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

That will be great Hartt, sorry I didn't think of it earlier, for this year.

 

[britbox]

Andrew, I don't think the media loves Tomic beyond the fact that he creates news for all the wrong reasons. Kyrgios is a different kettle of fish. Both have a sense of entitlement, but Kyrgios has far more redeeming qualities - he's playful and engaging outside of direct media intervention whearas Tomic is "The Big I AM"... yet Kyrgios has far more upside of the two of them. Kokkanakis, fitness permitting will be Australia's second string to Nick over the next few years, not Tomic - and rightly so.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

I think the media loves and hates Kyrgios. And Kyrgios is not a gigantic fan of the media, as evidenced by his on going feud with Rothenberg. Tomic has eaten a lot of bad press lately too so I imagine he's not in love with doing press conferences.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Andrew; Players get pissed at the media when they are unfairly or inaccurately portrayed. Courier and Rios are two examples who felt wronged by the media early in their careers and resented the media for a long time after. I'm sure there are others. Hewitt and Kafelnikov were far from press conference darlings. Capriati also. Players just want respect and to be portrayed fairly and accurately.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Right now my four picks are: Fed and Zverev and Halep/Coco.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Hartt writes:

Catherine the analysts for Rogers Cup in Toronto said that Centre Court was slower than the outer courts, but they did not suggest it was especially slow. I think the aim is to have similar conditions to the USO. Have not heard anything about Montreal. In terms of getting fans out, Rogers Cup does a good job for the qualies weekend. They promote it as a family event, with tons of activities for young children. And it is free, (except for parking, I think, and that is expensive). If the weather is good they get huge crowds and a good audience for the matches. For the rest of the tourney ticket prices are a huge issue. Today I will get the cheapest ticket available and I am not even trying to go in the evening. I think they should find ways to fill those empty corporate seats. Kids are off school now - perhaps they could offer some seats to kids who are in a tennis club, etc.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Scoop - don't forget no occ for Simona at USO, so, for me, no title. Coco's too erratic.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

And - Simona gives too many interviews- she's the WTA's go-to player for this kind of platitudinous stuff. How much of it does she truly believe ?

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Scoop, you're right. Some players don't do themselves any favors. I have awful Rios anecdotes sadly. And as much as I marveled at the guy in practice, talking to him was pretty sorry experience. Probably my fault, just should have asked him for an autograph and kept it simple. Expecting any more engagement as non media and non team is unrealistic. But I was like Rios, you the man, my favorite player! Nothing, just turned right around and waited for his practice court to open up. Saw him two straight years. Memorable. But not fun.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Andrew - you're right - there's no reason for anything but the most superficial engagement between players and fans. Why should there be ? There's no relationship, no place of contact. I've heard lots of stories of disappointment when the object of worship turns out to have no interest at all in the worshipper. An autograph is just an autograph, a selfie is just a selfie. It's part of growing up to understand the reality of this.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Yet another retirement in Toronto - is it something in the water ?

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Andrew; The thing is I don't think Rios's behavior turned you away from tennis. I doubt Rios bad manners prompted you to the tournament director's office to complain that your feelings were hurt. And I doubt you watched any less pro tennis on TV. Sure, friendly players make a lot of fans and the support can make a difference later on in a tight match. But rude oddballs like Rios have to be accepted for what they are. I have had a few disappointing encounters with Rios as well and they did not damper my enthusiasm for the sport at all. You gotta be able to roll with the punches. Whiners and complainers who whine about everything in this world or about political incorrectness or unfair treatment are just crybaby whiners who need to toughen up. The world is a tough place.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Escobedo with a nice SS win today over Basilashvili. He can certainly beat Haase and make it to the 3rd round if he plays well. Tiafoe just bageled Lorenzi in the 2nd set and they're headed to a 3rd.