Why are we having to watch Serena?

[rlbjr]

Why the heck am I stuck watching Serena blow out the first set 6-0 when Todd Martin is in the middle of a errific match, losing the first 7-6? Will ESPN EVER get it?

[Shaolin]

I feel your pain. ESPN = SCUM. The other day, when they had the chance to show Fed being beaten by a 17 year old Nadal, easily the upset of the year and only the second time Fed has been beaten in like 100 months, they choose to show the match they showed the NIGHT BEFORE, which wasnt even a high quality match as Cliff even said on the air. Then they proceeded to show a routine Jennifer Fatriotti match when they had ANOTHER chance to show the Nadal/Fed match. F-you ESPN.

[Ballmachine]

I'm with you guys. It is sad.

[PumpCann]

Oh how soon we are boared, when the sisters are not struggling. I for one am gald to have my sistas back.
Looks like a possible All Williams Final to me! One can only hope. Looks like the rust is fadding a little.

Williams Sisters For Life!!! (Win Or Loose)

[Ronaldo]

ESPN could solve this dilemna, broadcast several matches on PPV. Pay a lump sum and choose your match on 5 different channels. NCAA Womens' B-Ball had 6 different games on at once.

[@wright]

Pump, referring to the bottom of your post, I know what it means if the Williams win, but what does loose mean?

[Ronaldo]

Seems loose with the spelchek, eh? It does seem a WTA showcase for the Williams, all over again.

[BreakPoint]

ESPN seems to think there are only 3 pro tennis players on the planet: Agassi, Roddick, and Serena! If none of these 3 players are playing at the moment, they go to live poker or some Australian strongman or Norwegian log-rolling competition.

[Frodo Baggins]

Cause theres nothing else to watch on T.V ... thats why were watching serena...

[rlbjr]

Nothing else to watch? I thought I mentioned that Martin was in a tight and well played match at the same time Serena was winning 0&0. This is NOT an anti-Williams/anti-women rant. I'm all for showing them play, but let's at least wait till they're playing a match worth showing. Martin went down 6&6, we saw 30sec. Federer went out to Nadal in what appeared to be a great match, at least from the perspective of the 30sec highlight we were shown, and we saw nothing. It really is no wonder tennis broadcast ratings stink, no one, and I mean NO ONE, likes to tune in to see the same two to four players over, and over, and over again. It doesn't work with any other sport and it isn't working in tennis. What it is doing is creating a backlash. When I turn on the broadcast and see AA, AR, SW, VW or JC, I nearly want to just turn it off. If it continues like this, soon I won't even bother turning it on in the first place.

[Deuce]

"Why are we having to watch Serena?"

Because Nike says so.

[Camilio Pascual]

To a large degree, Deuce is right. RLBJR - I really think you are dead flat wrong. ESPN knows much better than we tennis fans which matches will bring in larger numbers of viewers. Not very many TeeVee fans are interested in a Federer-Nadal match, no matter how great the tennis. Most fans are not interested in foreigners when they can get a match with an American in it. I'm not saying it is "right", there is no "right" about who one wants to watch play, it's just the way it is.

[python]

The only way things will change is if ESPN is shown their strategy is a losing one, if that's possible. As been stated elsewhere, their numbers may entirely justify showing a Williams blowout multiple times.

I've emailed ESPN Sports a few times, complaining about coverage. That's about all I can do under the circumstances.

I'm a big fan of TTC. It's on in my house at least 3-4 hours a day even if I am not watching it. I assume TimeWarner at least knows how popular TTC is in my household, since they've got to be tracking my viewing habits through my digital cable box. Those of you who have TTC, please consider doing the same and leaving the box on and tuned to TTC whenever you can. Those of you who don't have the channel, please make a stink with your local cable system and get TTC added to your lineup.

Finally, do your part and support grass roots tennis in your area. Attend the pro tournaments when they are nearby. Complain (loudly) to any tournament or USTA official you see about ESPN's horribly coverage of tennis. They may be getting greater ratings from casual fans, but hardcore tennis people like us are the ones that put butts into seats at tournaments, and we're also the ones who actually spend $$$ on tennis equipment and clothing. Our wants should count for more than Joe Public who doesn't even own a single racquet but likes Serena simply because she is an American.