TENNIS WISH LIST FOR 2013
The holidays are almost
over. Tennis season has already
begun. I have read most of my favourite
sports writers commentary about the 2012 tennis season. Some of them I agree with. Others I just past by the wayside. 2012 was a great year for women’s
tennis. With the top 3 women competing
admirably against each other (or at least the top 2 against each other), women’s
tennis is in my view placed to grow even more and gain an even bigger audience.
I have been watching Tennis
Channel’s Love 30 coverage, and while I am not happy that the majority of the
women’s matches seem to fall below the top 10, it was great to see that at
least a few of them were voted into the top 5.
Here’s hoping that with the coming 2013 season, there will be many more
quality matches to watch.
Everyone has their wish list of
what they would like to see in tennis. I
am no different. And so without further ado,
here is my top 10 things I would like to see in women’s tennis this year.
1.
The end of on-court coaching. With the great season just completed, it
would be great if the powers that be would end this farce. It continues to make the women’s game look
weak. At a time when we have 3 of the
most powerful women in the top echelons of the sport, having multi-millionaires calling on some old
guy to play dog whisperer does nothing good for the women’s game.
2.
The WTA to provide clarity as to where we can
now watch women’s tennis now that Eurosport no longer holds the rights in women’s
tennis.
3.
The end of commentators referring to grown
women, married and with children being described as girls.
4.
The end of commentators with the grunting,
shrieking debate. It is hear to
stay. Get over it.
5.
The end of commentators repeating the same narrative
over and over and over again.
6.
Tennis writers to begin taking women’s tennis seriously. It is not a sideshow. It is a professional outfit. The women deserve better than writers just
putting out press releases as if they are being paid by an organization to
promote players, rather than the game.
7.
I would love to see WTA events from at least the
fourth round, rather than selected quarter-final or semi-final matches on
Tennis Channel. On the same score, I
would love to see the end of delayed broadcasts on Tennis Channel. It is ridiculous that in this day and age, I
know the results of matches long before Tennis Channel deigns to provide
coverage. Delayed coverage is the reason
why NBC no longer has the rights to Wimbledon.
8.
The continue use of commentators who were former
players. Many tennis fans adore Lindsay
Davenport’s commentary and Brett Haber, despite my best efforts has grown on
me. The guys over at ESPN2 could take a
page out of their books.
9.
I would love if the WTA could have a show on
Tennis Channel, or any network, that showcases the women’s Tour in much the
same way as the ATP does. I am sure that
many fans like myself would love to see up and coming players like Taylor
Townsend, Putinseva and many others as they make the transition from the
juniors to the senior tour.
10.
Finally, I would love to see the women’s tour
being described as competitive and professional rather than being filled with
cat fights as most journalists like to describe it.
Before the season starts, I will publish my predictions for
2013
