For the past 7 or 8 years, Channel 7, the local broadcaster has had Jim Courier as its prime commentator for the AO. Before Courier, they had John McEnroe, for 1 year I think, and as interesting as he was as a player, I just found McEnroe as a commentator boring and old school. I was never a fan of Courier as a player, but I must say, I find his commentating very insightful and he's very well versed as far as the AO is concerned.
Courier as a commentator
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fed_is_GOD
Professional
Agreed.. throw in Simon Reed too.. he does a fantastic job..
forzamilan90
Legend
Courier has a very nice voice and demeanor.
Jeffrey573639
Semi-Pro
+1. I think he's great
Do countries outside Australia ever get Roger Rasheed as a commentator? Never made it as a pro but he used to coach Hewitt. He does special comments at the AO and he was criticised a few years back for getting the camera man to slow down a motion of Venus Williams' ass as she was serving, when she wore these dark coloured tight pants under her dress, and at first glass it appeared she was wearing nothing at all.
My favourite interview he did was with Federer the night he destroyed Roddick in the 2007 AO semi final 4 0 and 2. First question Jim asked Roger: "Why did you do it?" haha.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
He's a better interviewer IMO but still a very good commentator.
K
Kilco
Guest
It's (Gilles) Simon, not Simone courier you twat!
slickerthansleek
Rookie
The Channel 7 commentators are appalling, but Jim Courier is pretty good. You just know he wants to facepalm every time Bruce McAvaney says something stupid, but he usually turns it around pretty smoothly and provides insightful commentary. He has a nice voice, too.
It'll be good when Lleyton retires and joins the commentary team, he makes a great commentator also. Listening to Lleyton and Jim commentate a match would be a pleasant experience, unlike listening to Rennae Stubbs and Sam Smith.
It'll be good when Lleyton retires and joins the commentary team, he makes a great commentator also. Listening to Lleyton and Jim commentate a match would be a pleasant experience, unlike listening to Rennae Stubbs and Sam Smith.
RAFA2005RG
Banned
The only thing I don't like about Courier is his voice. Get rid of that and no problem.
ruerooo
Legend
I thought they split and now Rasheed coaches Tsonga.
Anyways, I like Courier as an interviewer. It seems like some players like to have fun when responding to his answers.
As for Hewitt, love his commentary, especially when he has a lot input on players he has played before (like when Roddick played Wawrinka in 2010 at the Aussie Open). Great analysis from Hewitt.
Monsieur_DeLarge
Semi-Pro
I've never taken to his on-court interviews, but I really enjoyed his post-match analysis at last year's French Open for ITV. I suspect I'd like his commentary. I was always a fan of Peter Fleming as well, who I think has a similar, laconic style. Plus the Goodall-Koenig double-act, naturally.
I've always felt the golden rule of tennis commentary is "less is more". So for all you posters moaning about whoever makes you claw at your ears with their incessant blabbing, I give you a taste of the late Dan Maskell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSJUOTOESJQ
That link is to an Evert vs Mandlikova match at Wimbledon from 1986, and it's 30-30 before he says anything. Anything at all. Not a word for the first three points. Think Pam Shriver or Patrick McEnroe could manage that?
Regards,
MDL
I've always felt the golden rule of tennis commentary is "less is more". So for all you posters moaning about whoever makes you claw at your ears with their incessant blabbing, I give you a taste of the late Dan Maskell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSJUOTOESJQ
That link is to an Evert vs Mandlikova match at Wimbledon from 1986, and it's 30-30 before he says anything. Anything at all. Not a word for the first three points. Think Pam Shriver or Patrick McEnroe could manage that?
Regards,
MDL
Sid_Vicious
G.O.A.T.
Mustard, Lleyton commentated for the entire match between Roddick and Wawrinka at the 2011 Australian Open. I think he was fantastic. Shame there is no full length of this match on youtube, but this 24 minute highlight reel has some of Lleyton's comments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN_gR3ebXHQ
Mustard
Bionic Poster
DeShaun
Banned
I was blown away by him the only time I ever saw him in person. This man, Courier, was positively oozing with such a warm, friendly but also electric charisma that his presence just seemed to light up an entire arena the size of that in which Basel is held. To be honest, I was really shocked at how much of a rock start he seemed like in person...in fact, I wouldn't even call him a rock star, I would call him a rock god--that's how powerful his charisma seemed.
One of the things I like about Courier is that he knows what the fans are thinking. One year during the AO, at the height of Federer's peak, he played Agassi and early in the match Courier spoke about how he was looking forward to seeing someone really push Federer to the brink to see how Federer would handle it. All tennis fans were thinking that at the time. Never happened, Federer demolished him.
Relinquis
Hall of Fame
i agree.
it's great to see players as commentators. i know it could be less hollywood and entertaining for some casual observers at times, and that their style isn't as polished as the corporate broadcaster types, but they do give you more context, insight, and a different perspective on the players, competition, strategy, technique and even equipment.
they'll even say stuff that you can disagree with and they usually have actual opinions. ultimately, they're generally fans of the game and it shows.
it's great to see players as commentators. i know it could be less hollywood and entertaining for some casual observers at times, and that their style isn't as polished as the corporate broadcaster types, but they do give you more context, insight, and a different perspective on the players, competition, strategy, technique and even equipment.
they'll even say stuff that you can disagree with and they usually have actual opinions. ultimately, they're generally fans of the game and it shows.
Rocky89
Professional
I think Jim Courier is a great commentator, his voice doesn't bother me like others have stated. I always like his post match interviews as well.
I can't stand listening to this guy commentate though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzdP9Yxtfo
It always sounds like he's gargling marbles. I forgot his name though.
I can't stand listening to this guy commentate though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzdP9Yxtfo
It always sounds like he's gargling marbles. I forgot his name though.
Gonzalito17
Banned
Courier and Hewitt are both very fantastic commentators, very insightful and intelligent, they really know the intricacies of the game and being a champion and they articulate them like only great champions can. THey are both as good as it gets as far as TV commentating.
flyinghippos101
Legend
Courier is good, but Adel Al Shatti, the Al Jazeera commentator, is the king of all commentators. The unrestrained enthusiasm of that guy makes my day
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