No Tennis Event Has More Buzz Than U.S. Open
An era was officially closed Monday as the USTA announced a new TV deal that will place the US Open on ESPN and Tennis Channel beginning in 2009.
This September will be the 25th and final Open to air on USA. The obvious disclaimer: this will be my 22nd as a play-by-play voice for USA’s coverage.
Sign up for my RSS FeedAnd here’s what I have learned: no tennis event that I have been blessed to cover, which now includes 8 Wimbledons for NBC, generates more conversation than the Open.
The most frequent tennis comment I receive (after “What’s Johnny Mac really like?) is: “I plan my nights for 2 weeks around USA’s prime time coverage of the Open. I love listening to John, Tracy and you every night.”
It’s been flattering and it’s also a tremendous endorsement for the growth of the Open. Arlen Kantarian and his excellent staff have transformed the Open from a tennis championship to an EVENT. It is the only sporting championship contested on an annual basis in New York and the USTA has magnificently built that aura.
What we’ve learned is that it’s great TV. Not for USA, I acknowledge, for it’s the top-rated cable network and sports aren’t a part of that equation.
But for ESPN and Tennis Channel, partners now in the cable presentation of all Slams, it is perfect programming. And they will treat the Open well- fear not, the quality of the coverage will be high. No time zone issues, LIVE tennis in prime time, and American players enjoying success are huge benefits.
It all pales, though, next to NIGHT TENNIS.
That is the Open’s magic, the buzz of a significant night match that can only be heard in New York. It is the two weeks every year when tennis truly matters in America. Great theater and entertainment are the byproducts of superior competition.
Writing this brings memories flooding back: Vitas Gerulaitis, truly one of the kindest and most generous people I have been blessed to call a friend, Jimmy Connors in ’91, Chris Evert’s last match, Martina Hingis waxing Anna Kournikova in a junior match, Sampras-Agassi ’01, the highest quality match I have ever called and Andre’s ’05 run.
There will be more time for these in the fall. For now, the hundreds of talented professionals involved in the USA telecasts will spend several months preparing for one more run at something we love.
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There’s a severe shortage of intelligent writing about tennis. Fortunately, Paul Fein is trying to compensate, releasing his latest book, Tennis Confidential II. Mary Carillo writes the foreword and she presents Fein as a tennis version of baseball’s Bill James. Someone bright enough to address the game’s crucial debates and figures without being trapped in other eras; forward thinking, what a concept in tennisworld! I look forward to a good summer read. 
May 15th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Ted:
I always look forward to watching the US Open on USA, especially those late-night marathons! My only concern is that, since the Tennis Channel is a premium on my cable service, I can’t watch it on every TV in my home. Not all my TVs have the digital “box.” It seems to me that tennis is going to only be accessible by the “elite” who can afford the extra expense. Not exactly a welcome trend, IMHO.