ESPN drops Davis Cup....

[Chanchai]

http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek/index.cfm?func=showarticle&newsid=14548&bannerregion=

Even though they only show US matches, anyways... I'm pretty sad about this. Sometimes I just wish they'd go on a format similar to some other countries.

I remember going to Thailand (yeah, it was 2002 - one of Paradorn's two good years) and watching their Davis Cup coverage. While they focused on him quite a bit, you actually didn't see him the first hour of programming as they showed highlights of almost every other tie that was played that day. The program was explaining Davis Cup to the viewer, the format, the different groups--it just covered all Davis Cup activity of that week.

I still don't have access to TTC... And thinking about what has been shown in Davis Cup, even though it's only US matches... Well last year we got wonderful looks at Ljubicic, which followed wonderful looks at Nadal's play in the 2004 Final. I was in Thailand during the 2002 tie where Roddick lost to Grosjean in France. Roddick's had some entertaining wins in Davis Cup as well. And it's one of the few times we get to see the Bryan Brothers play...

-Chanchai

 

[Sixpointone]

Hi Chanchai,

Thank You for sharing this news.

It is unfortunate that ESPN decided not to continue carrying Davis Cup coverage. I feel much the way I did when HBO did not renew their Wimbledon contract some years back.

My best memories of watching the Davis Cup were when a small group of people I know, whom play Tennis, would get together, make food, and sit down an watch the Matches. During commercial breaks we would talk about Tennis, Racquets and such. Sadly, some have moved away. And now the Davis Cup on ESPN is no longer.

I am fortunate to say that I do have The Tennis Channel, and as such I'll be able to keep watching. But I do feel badly for those whom might not be able to do the same.

Regards,
John

 

[Chanchai]

Yeah... I guess I should admit that for those that get The Tennis Channel, I would imagine they would get far superior coverage of Davis Cup than what ESPN shows for Davis Cup.

In that case, I am happy for those that get the coverage and enjoy Davis Cup. I just wish I could enjoy it along with you guys

 

[Rabbit]

I enjoy TTC's coverage of Davis Cup from other countries. They pick up some great matches, most notably the tie between Argentina and Australia. The match between Coria & Hewitt was unforgettable. Great tennis and great drama, in the immortal words of Leif Shiras "Those two won't be exchanging Christmas cards this year!"

 

[@wright]

Son of a _! That's gonna leave a mark!

 

[barry]

I think Professional tennis would be better off if ESPN did not cover any tennis. They provide terrible coverage and are way over bias!
Give it back to TNT and USA to cover the slams, much better coverage and a lot less rerun matches.
ESPN is better at street ball!

 

[tennissavy]

Hi Chanchai,

Thank You for sharing this news.

It is unfortunate that ESPN decided not to continue carrying Davis Cup coverage. I feel much the way I did when HBO did not renew their Wimbledon contract some years back.

My best memories of watching the Davis Cup were when a small group of people I know, whom play Tennis, would get together, make food, and sit down an watch the Matches. During commercial breaks we would talk about Tennis, Racquets and such. Sadly, some have moved away. And now the Davis Cup on ESPN is no longer.

I am fortunate to say that I do have The Tennis Channel, and as such I'll be able to keep watching. But I do feel badly for those whom might not be able to do the same.

Regards,
John

My buddies, with whom I played tennis and used to invite for tennis parties, are not around anymore either. Where do you live?
You are fortunate to get the tennischannel. I do not.

 

[Sixpointone]

Hi Tennissavy,

I live in Massachusetts, not too far from the Boston area. And I agree, I truly do appreciate that I am able to get The Tennis Channel.

All My Best,
John

 

[norcal]

I think Professional tennis would be better off if ESPN did not cover any tennis.

The majority of us don't have access to TTC. So no Davis Cup coverage is good for tennis? Care to explain how?

 

[Rabbit]

The majority of us don't have access to TTC. So no Davis Cup coverage is good for tennis? Care to explain how?

Hey, hey, hey, let's not confuse the issue with facts.

 

[bigserving]

Fortunately, I get to attend the La Jolla tie in person. No ESPN coverage is a bad thing for the game of tennis.

The only positive possibility that I can think of is that perhaps it will provide the opportunity for The Tennis Channel to become more widely available.

 

[Andres]

ESPN didn't televised any Davis Cup in ARG, but a local channel did it. Not only the ARG ties, but almost every important tie in DC. I had the chance to see CRO vs USA, CRO vs. RUS and CRO vs SLO, among others...

 

[Max G.]

Rats...

Hopefully TTC will expand and I'll be able to get it, at some point...

 

[Babblelot]

I still don't have access to TTC...

Me either. This blows!

 

[Moose Malloy]

"I think part of me is disappointed and at the same time part of me is excited," McEnroe said. "I've always been frustrated with ESPN's coverage — for instance the fact that the Bryan brothers' doubles matches were sometimes on at 2 a.m. — but I don't blame ESPN for that. The bottom line is Davis Cup doesn't draw ratings. Even last year when we had Agassi and Roddick on the team and we were playing at home, it really didn't draw ratings. But that's not ESPN's fault, that's because of the format of Davis Cup and the fact they (the ITF) don't change it. I understand ESPN's position completely: they've got to set their schedule set nine to 12 months in advance and how the heck do they know when they're going to have Davis Cup? You can stress the negative, but I prefer to stress the positive: we're excited The Tennis Channel is doing it and very confident they'll do a great job and people who get it will get to see all the Davis Cup matches."

While ESPN will not be televising Davis Cup, the man who was behind the microphone for ESPN's first tennis telecast and remains its voice of tennis — former U.S. Open finalist Cliff Drysdale — may well make the trip to LaJolla. McEnroe has offered to fly his friend and broadcast partner out to LaJolla for the tie, along with his entourage of admirers.

"ESPN has supported it for a long time and Cliff Drysdale has been calling Davis Cup since it started on ESPN," McEnroe said. "I told Cliff I am personally inviting him to the match and I will pay his way out to California so we hope to have Cliffy out there to continue the tradition."

 

[tennis-n-sc]

Well, what do you expect. There's only so much time in ESPN's schedule and apparently the American public has spoken. So, expect more coverage of billiards, eating contests, poker and the world's strongest contest. I just got TTC, so I'm good. But ESPN's concept of sport is bizzare.

 

[Rabbit]

Tour de gorge....just what we need to see. Does anybody really watch that crap? They show it on one of the High Def channels here, INHD I think. I just can't imagine watching 30 minutes of people cramming hotdogs in thier pie holds in high definition. That's fairly disgusting.

PMac's explanantion says it all. Professional tennis is not the draw it once was. There are a myriad of reasons from the game being played too much from the baseline, to the de-personalizing of the players, to the love fest that is now enjoyed among the top players. Everybody likes everybody. How can you have a blood lust rivalry, with all props to Sampras/Agassi and Evert/Navratilova, without a little hate? We need Connors/McEnroe.

 

[barry]

The majority of us don't have access to TTC. So no Davis Cup coverage is good for tennis? Care to explain how?

Before ESPN took over the grand slams, we had coverage from USA, CBS, NBC, HBO, and TNT. I do not have TTC either, but have been asking Dish monthly when!
Overall I believe ESPN has not provided very good coverage of tennis events.
They should cover street ball, and leave tennis to the other networks which did a much better job.

 

[legolas]

espn, they r stupid

 

[devila]

Mr. Drysdale forgot what happened to Agassi in Agassi's last DC match.

 

[West Coast Ace]

I do not have TTC either, but have been asking Dish monthly when!
Overall I believe ESPN has not provided very good coverage of tennis events.
They should cover street ball, and leave tennis to the other networks which did a much better job.

Barry, what you need to do is ask Steve at TTC to move to FL so he can lower operating costs (and have more access to the pros since the majority live/train in FL - the People's Republic of Santa Monica is the worst place to run a company - incredibly expensive and CA's high state taxes. Then he can lower the price he's asking Dish, DirecTV, etc... to pay for his product - they have hundreds of channels - they'd pick it up if it were right priced (oops, lapse into MBA-speak).

Agree 100% with your assessment of ESPN's coverage. They are sad.

Patrick's comments in the article are typical Patrick - some people were just born to kiss *ss - he says something a little controversial (... I was upset with the times they'd show the matches...) then backslides (... but I don't blame them). If ESPN wants to grow viewership they have to show the matches when people can watch them.

 

[devila]

Brad Gilbert was sure that Roddick was shaky in Belgium because he said, "The Doubles will decide the tie." Of course, he tried to sound cheery and patriotic by boasting that Roddick was smashing Rochus "6-1".

Brad was very upset about Blake's poor matches and didn't want Pat to lose his job. He knew what it was like.

John McEnroe admitted that Pat praised everyone in America in order to keep his job.
Pat was on another TV show and told the host that Roddick made other players angry.
Even James Blake told Roddick in an exhibition, "You don't make smart decisions, right?"

The US team is useless and if Roddick knows what's good for him, he'd focus on the Grand Slams.

 

[simi]

This just sux a hind teat. Only time I was able to watch pro doubles the last few years was on the Saturday of Davis Cup weekend. Even then, we didn't get the full match. Guess I'll just have to go out and play instead of watch.

 

[idj49]

Hey barry what is street ball?

 

[Ronaldo]

Suspected tennis is in decline when ESPN Classic showed no Aus Open matches this year. Btw, would ESPN show a WTA final at 3:30 am LIVE and stick with it until 7 am through a rain delay?

 

[thejuice]

Hey barry what is street ball?

Street basketball (much more exciting than the NBA most of the time).

To the point of ESPN and its coverage, look at what the PGA did and think about how tennis COULD benefit but is not ready yet. The PGA decided to end their relationship with ESPN and pull their tournaments so that they can be seen on USA, TNT, CBS, etc. The real winner was The Golf Channel though because they will now get some PGA events to compliment the LPGA, European PGA, and Nationwide Tour coverage. Think about it, The Golf Channel is paving the way for TTC. TGC had been around for a little over 10 years now and you can definitely say that golf's gain in popularity can be partly attributed to its amount of TV time. Tiger didn't do it by himself. I think Federer, Nadal, Roddick, Gasquet, Blake and a host of new talent will be able to make tennis as popular as it once was in the US but they won't be able to do it without as much tennis as we can stand on TV. I don't know if tennis will ever be on as much as golf (there is a golf tournament on TV every weekend from the second week in January until November) but once TTC becomes widely available, the sky's the limit.

 

[tonysk83]

I have 300 channels, and no tennnis channel, stupid.

 

[mellofelow]

I don't know if tennis will ever be on as much as golf (there is a golf tournament on TV every weekend from the second week in January until November) but once TTC becomes widely available, the sky's the limit.

My heart's with you and hoping you're right.

BUT!!!! Let's not confuse the issue that ESPN dropped tennis just because it's getting popular. For example, ABC also declined to renew the golf contract. But in this case, it was due the fact that they're in a bidding war with 6 or 7 other channels. Not only golf is on every week but also on several channels. Hell, on a Sunday, I'm torn between watching PGA on CBS, Senior PGA on NBC, Nationwide tour on Golf Channel... etc.

Oh yeah, there's even a 'MADE FOR TV' event which involves Tiger and 3 other wannabe ON PRIME TIME weekday!!!!!!

Now back to tennis. ESPN.... just the name of ESPN is synonymous with sports. They have the power to make or break a sport. And their management is smart enough to smell a skunk. I'm afraid they're treating tennis like NHL. Once they realize a sport won't return to its popularity, they passed the nut to the squirrels... what is it now? the OLN network?

Sky's the limit for TTC huh??? I believe they need to surpass HSN, home shopping network first.