Champions Series Tennis: condensed format

VGP · Jan 4, 2011

I'm curious to see what the 2011 season of the Inside Out Champions Series Tennis is going to be like with a condensed one-night three match format.....

1.4.11 InsideOut Sports & Entertainment

NEW LOOK CHAMPIONS SERIES TENNIS CIRCUIT TO FEATURE EXPANDED MARKETS IN CONDENSED FALL SEASON

NEW YORK, January 4 -- InsideOut Sports + Entertainment today announced an expanded and re-formatted Champions Series tennis circuit starting in 2011 with one-night events in 12 North American markets played this fall.

Each new Champions Series event will feature a field of four major champions competing in a one-night shootout tournament with two semifinal matches followed immediately by a championship match. Players will compete for ranking points and a prize money bonus pool for the top three finishers on the circuit. Information on venues, dates, player fields, sponsors, ticket information and television airings will be announced in the coming months.

The Champions Series is a New York-based tennis circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30 run by InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, co-owned and operated by former SFX executive Jon Venison and former world No. 1 Jim Courier.

“The new version of the Champions Series will be more impactful with one-night powerhouse events allowing a wider audience to experience this special brand of tennis,” said Venison. "Players will be able to play in two or three markets over one weekend in the same amount of time they would spend in one city with the prior multi-day tournament format of the circuit. Additionally, with the condensed fall schedule, fans will be able to more easily follow the season from start to finish."

Since its debut in 2005, the Champions Series has held 32 tournaments around the world featuring players such as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Bjorn Borg, Marat Safin, Michael Chang, Patrick Rafter and Courier.

"The Champions Series is the perfect way for me to stay involved in the sport that has given me so much," said Agassi. "Competing against my peers in this new format is going to be exciting and an ideal way to connect with the tennis fans who have long supported me and the sport all across North America."

"With this new one-night tournament schedule fans will be certain to see four immensely popular players playing in every one of these events," said Courier. "When you put this level of champions together in these type of tournaments with money and ranking points on the line, you know you're going to see some fireworks."

I wonder if this format shuts out the "other guys" the non-major champions who were top-fivers or singles players on Davis Cup teams (i.e. Krickstein, Philippoussis, et al.). I guess the ATP Champions Tour will remain as it is......

SusanDK · Jan 6, 2011

VGP said:
I wonder if this format shuts out the "other guys" the non-major champions who were top-fivers or singles players on Davis Cup teams (i.e. Krickstein, Philippoussis, et al.).

It sounds like there has been waning interest (and ticket sales) for these events with the larger draws over multiple days. I guess it would make economic sense to reduce the number of players and days (lower cost for appearance fees and stadium time), plus restrict the draw to only the top retired guys which would increase the chance of sell-out crowds.

It's a shame, though, because some of the more entertaining players, or favorites who weren't necessarily GS-winners, may not be included any more.

VGP · Jan 6, 2011

I'm sure it costs more money to put on multi-day events, plus get the commitments by all the players. Although the Champions Series events look like great vacation getaways for the players and their families.

I suppose the format of the Champions Series is too much like the ATP Champions Tour. Although the infrastructure for a legends event is already in place because they follow the 250 level ATP events. Their format and player qualifications sound like they will remain the same by meeting one of the three criteria (major single's winner, top five ranking, singles player on a winning Davis Cup team). There are events for the ATP Champions Tour in North and South America, and in Europe, primarily in Europe. The non-major winners can still play those events.

The move for InsideOut Sports and the Champions Series seems like they'll hit 12 "markets" in North America instead of the 6-8 they've maintained since 2006 (there was only one event in 2005), and only 4 in 2010.

Seems like they're banking on a more exhibition-style format with one-night events that harken back to the old "pro tennis" days before the open era. The promoters would hire on major title winners and set up "one-night stands" and have them battle it out from town to town.

robow7 · Jan 6, 2011

Hey l like it, shamateurism deja vu.
Let me guess, how many will go three sets? hmmmm

Carolina Racquet · Jan 6, 2011

I think this format is a positive change for the Champions Tour.

You can be assured to see your favorite Legend(s) play and it's not as physically demanding as a multi-day event. Probably will help them attract bigger names as well, which is great!

Let's face it... these are more of an exhibition than a tour-competitive event. This change represents a better "fit".

SusanDK · Jan 6, 2011

Carolina Racquet said:
You can be assured to see your favorite Legend(s) play

How so? It seems like there is less chance considering the smaller draw and fewer matches / days.

I agree they are just exos.

Carolina Racquet · Jan 7, 2011

SusanDK said:
How so? It seems like there is less chance considering the smaller draw and fewer matches / days.

I agree they are just exos.

I think this format will draw better names, not more players. It will make that one day more of an event than a tournament.

I'm sure the decision was done looking at the economics involved with holding a multi-day tournament and feedback from the top players they hope will participate.

Time will tell if it works, but I think it will help.

Carolina Racquet · Jan 7, 2011

Another comment... they are targeting the "fall season" only. Time of year when there is a drought of professional tennis.

Champions Series Tennis: condensed format

VGP

Legend

SusanDK

Semi-Pro

VGP

Legend

robow7

Professional

Carolina Racquet

Professional

SusanDK

Semi-Pro

Carolina Racquet

Professional

Carolina Racquet

Professional

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