Should we boycott the French Open?

Nadalgaenger

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
Why would they want to deprive tennis fans of highlights of great matches? I have been vainly searching for highlights or even a replay of the classic Nadal/Djokovic 2013 match and I can find none!

And the official FO website is a joke. Horrible content! No videos available.

Why do the French have to be so impossible? And they call Americans the money-hungry folks.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
I'm not going to lie, I too get frustrated "trying" to watch the French Open.

I don't have The Tennis Channel. And every year, ESPN2 shows the afternoon matches. In the West Coast of US, that's the hours of 4am - 7am, essentially unwatchable hours. 7am and on it's blocked everywhere but The Tennis Channel.

Kind of annoying, but The French Open has always been one of the least accessible Grand Slam ever.
 
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peakofthebounce

Banned
It's disgusting isn't it.

Moves like that only hurt the popularity of tennis. 99% of the guys who would have watched the highlights would not have been able to watch the match live anyway due to time zones/work so what does anyone gain by depriving these fans of seeing what happened in the match?

It's hard to care about the French Open if you have no idea of what happened beyond numbers moving up and down on a score line.
 
ScentOfDefeat

ScentOfDefeat

G.O.A.T.
This may be true nowadays but for years Wimbledon was the least accessible tournament for all non-British Europeans. RG was always on Eurosport and there were plenty of shows about it and full coverage. For years I was forced to watch Wimbledon in German, on DSF (I didn't understand much), and they only showed one match per day.

However, since the internet became the main source of information, I tend to agree with you.
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
I can't stand it. The number of matches I wish I could watch highlights from is ridiculous. What the hell are they thinking? Either put full/DECENT highlights on the official website, or stop acting like Prince :lol:
 
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chrischris

G.O.A.T.
Nadalgaenger said:
Why would they want to deprive tennis fans of highlights of great matches? I have been vainly searching for highlights or even a replay of the classic Nadal/Djokovic 2013 match and I can find none!

And the official FO website is a joke. Horrible content! No videos available.

Why do the French have to be so impossible? And they call Americans the money-hungry folks.
Click to expand...

In what way are the French Open organisers money hungry?
 
Nadalgaenger

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
Exactly.

Can someone explain the marketing logic of the FO executives? Why remove footage of great FO matches from Youtube? That is the best advertisement they could have.
 
P

peakofthebounce

Banned
Say Chi Sin Lo said:
That, and along with the at least half of misc. ATP matches. They sure know how to promote the sport.
Click to expand...

I have noticed that highlights are becoming harder and harder to find. Last year, for example, I'm you could find great highlights of Monte Carlo, Miami, Indian Wells and Barcelona, but this year it's much harder.

Looks like they're cracking down on it - they don't seem to realize that the widespread availability of content increases interest in the game. Why would I care about something that I can't access?

How is any newcomer going to get interested in tennis when they youtube it (and youtube is very rapidly becoming the default tool for such tasks) expecting to see great rallies, and all they get is some grainy footage of some 80's match where they can't see the ball?
 
heninfan99

heninfan99

Talk Tennis Guru
Yes this is true but if you're not watching the live matches is it not like an accidental boycott?
What did you mean by boycott?
 
C

chrischris

G.O.A.T.
peakofthebounce said:
I have noticed that highlights are becoming harder and harder to find. Last year, for example, I'm you could find great highlights of Monte Carlo, Miami, Indian Wells and Barcelona, but this year it's much harder.

Looks like they're cracking down on it - they don't seem to realize that the widespread availability of content increases interest in the game. Why would I care about something that I can't access?

How is any newcomer going to get interested in tennis when they youtube it (and youtube is very rapidly becoming the default tool for such tasks) expecting to see great rallies, and all they get is some grainy footage of some 80's match where they can't see the ball?
Click to expand...



Probably true. What is a possible negative of having it available? They must have a 'good' reason.
 
NADALRECORD

NADALRECORD

Banned
Nadalgaenger said:
Why would they want to deprive tennis fans of highlights of great matches? I have been vainly searching for highlights or even a replay of the classic Nadal/Djokovic 2013 match and I can find none!

And the official FO website is a joke. Horrible content! No videos available.

Why do the French have to be so impossible? And they call Americans the money-hungry folks.
Click to expand...

Roland Garros is the most valuable tennis event on earth. There is a certain ancient mystique to it, kind of like if somebody found "the cup of christ". Do not share the cup of christ.
 
Cosmic_Colin

Cosmic_Colin

Professional
ScentOfDefeat said:
This may be true nowadays but for years Wimbledon was the least accessible tournament for all non-British Europeans. RG was always on Eurosport and there were plenty of shows about it and full coverage. For years I was forced to watch Wimbledon in German, on DSF (I didn't understand much), and they only showed one match per day.

However, since the internet became the main source of information, I tend to agree with you.
Click to expand...

Here in the UK it's the US Open that's the least accessible:

1) Australian Open - Shown on Eurosport, which is bundled with most satellite/cable packages. Latter stages shown on BBC. We miss the moring/afternoon matches as they are in the early hours of the morning, but the evening matches are morning here.

2) French Open - Lots of coverage on Europsort. Also lots of coverage on ITV (free standard channel) for the past couple of years. On at normal times.

3) Wimbledon - Wall to wall coverage on BBC, multiple channels, can choose which courts. No adverts :). On at normal times.

4) US Open - Only viewable on Sky Sports, expensive subscription channels. The morning matches are on in our evenings, but by the time the good matches start, it's bedtime.
 
P

peakofthebounce

Banned
NADALRECORD said:
Roland Garros is the most valuable tennis event on earth. There is a certain ancient mystique to it, kind of like if somebody found "the cup of christ". Do not share the cup of christ.
Click to expand...

Wow, you post some inane stuff.

Less and less people will care that Nadal has won 26 French Opens if hardly anyone gets to watch it or see how it happened.

By contrast, more people will care that Djokovic has won all of his Australian Opens because they get to see the epic battles he had to endure to win the title.

The French Open becoming more and more 'secretive' will only hurt Nadal's popularity, as that's his most successful tournament.
 
ScentOfDefeat

ScentOfDefeat

G.O.A.T.
Cosmic_Colin said:
Here in the UK it's the US Open that's the least accessible:

1) Australian Open - Shown on Eurosport, which is bundled with most satellite/cable packages. Latter stages shown on BBC. We miss the moring/afternoon matches as they are in the early hours of the morning, but the evening matches are morning here.

2) French Open - Lots of coverage on Europsort. Also lots of coverage on ITV (free standard channel) for the past couple of years. On at normal times.

3) Wimbledon - Wall to wall coverage on BBC, multiple channels, can choose which courts. No adverts :). On at normal times.

4) US Open - Only viewable on Sky Sports, expensive subscription channels. The morning matches are on in our evenings, but by the time the good matches start, it's bedtime.
Click to expand...

Yes, nowadays the US Open is the hardest to watch. Interesting how this varies according to the country where you live.
 
NADALRECORD

NADALRECORD

Banned
The more you withhold footage of Roland Garros, the more sought-after and powerful it becomes. Its like comparing the NFL to the NBA. NFL only plays one game per week. NBA, each team plays about 3 games per week. That's why the NFL has higher ratings and is considered the most popular professional sport in America. The NBA plays 82 games per season......overkill. You have to keep the fans hungry. Roland Garros organizers will not let youtube devalue its product.
 
Nadalgaenger

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
NADALRECORD said:
The more you withhold footage of Roland Garros, the more sought-after and powerful it becomes. Its like comparing the NFL to the NBA. NFL only plays one game per week. NBA, each team plays about 3 games per week. That's why the NFL has higher ratings and is considered the most popular professional sport in America. The NBA plays 82 games per season......overkill. You have to keep the fans hungry. Roland Garros organizers will not let youtube devalue its product.
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This is a false dichotomy.

Tennis fans can watch highlights of every other GS (and all the MS 1000s for the most part). There is only one NFL.

The French is actually marginalizing itself. Hopefully their marketing execs will lighten up and stop controlling the internet like Gestapo agents.
 
West Coast Ace

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
ScentOfDefeat said:
Yes, nowadays the US Open is the hardest to watch. Interesting how this varies according to the country where you live.
Click to expand...
Exactly. He introduced a strawman. TV contracts vs. how the tournament organizer controls content are completely different topics.

It would be one thing if people were copying the videos and trying to make money off of them. But barring fans who just want to watch highlights because they were working or at school is pathetic. And parsing through 12 hours of DVR'd matches isn't feasible.
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
NADALRECORD said:
The more you withhold footage of Roland Garros, the more sought-after and powerful it becomes. Its like comparing the NFL to the NBA. NFL only plays one game per week. NBA, each team plays about 3 games per week. That's why the NFL has higher ratings and is considered the most popular professional sport in America. The NBA plays 82 games per season......overkill. You have to keep the fans hungry. Roland Garros organizers will not let youtube devalue its product.
Click to expand...

Man, you are so out of your mind it's insane.
 
S

Say Chi Sin Lo

G.O.A.T.
Cosmic_Colin said:
Here in the UK it's the US Open that's the least accessible:

1) Australian Open - Shown on Eurosport, which is bundled with most satellite/cable packages. Latter stages shown on BBC. We miss the moring/afternoon matches as they are in the early hours of the morning, but the evening matches are morning here.

2) French Open - Lots of coverage on Europsort. Also lots of coverage on ITV (free standard channel) for the past couple of years. On at normal times.

3) Wimbledon - Wall to wall coverage on BBC, multiple channels, can choose which courts. No adverts :). On at normal times.

4) US Open - Only viewable on Sky Sports, expensive subscription channels. The morning matches are on in our evenings, but by the time the good matches start, it's bedtime.
Click to expand...

Here on the West Coast of US:

Australian Open - We've got pretty good coverage on ESPN2. If you can afford to stay up through the night, we get coverage from 7-ish pm to 4-ish am. Pretty awesome

French Open - The "unwatchable" Slam. There's only coverage from 4-7am, after that, it goes to The Tennis Channel exclusively.

Wimbledon - Very good coverage also. We probably get to watch everything but the very first match of the day?

US Open - This is where things get kind of weird, considering it is our "home" slam. Why? Because on the weekends, the broadcast will give ways to other sporting events. ESPECIALLY when CBS takes over. Come on America, IT'S YOUR HOME SLAM! SHOW IT!
 
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merwy

G.O.A.T.
Yeah it really is pathetic. I like the French Open a lot for its tennis, but a lot of things around it I dislike. This is one of the things, it doesn't make sense that we can't rewatch such a classic match! That and the horrible crowd really spoil the tournament for me.
 
Team10

Team10

Hall of Fame
Nadalgaenger said:
Why would they want to deprive tennis fans of highlights of great matches? I have been vainly searching for highlights or even a replay of the classic Nadal/Djokovic 2013 match and I can find none!

And the official FO website is a joke. Horrible content! No videos available.

Why do the French have to be so impossible? And they call Americans the money-hungry folks.
Click to expand...

Only thing that thee is, is a 50 min replay of most of the 5th set on dailymotion. Just search for "French Open 2013 Nadal vs Djokovic." I think that might literally be all there is though. Very pathetic though, that was an amazing match.....glad I watched it live!
 
Mustard

Mustard

Bionic Poster
In Britain:

Australian Open: I watch it on Eurosport. The day's play starts around midnight (British time) and concludes late morning/early afternoon. This is the hardest schedule for me, personally.

French Open: I watch it on Eurosport and ITV these days. Timewise it's great.

Wimbledon: I watch it on BBC1/BBC2. Timewise it's perfect.

US Open: I watch it on Sky Sports. Being much more of a night owl than an early riser, I very much like the US Open's time schedule, particularly staying up late in the night to watch the night matches, providing it isn't raining :mad:
 
NADALRECORD

NADALRECORD

Banned
I like it how because the fans aren't allowed to see Roland Garros on youtube, it makes them extra excited when Roland Garros is on TV. Its very intelligent.
 
Nadalgaenger

Nadalgaenger

G.O.A.T.
Team10 said:
Only thing that thee is, is a 50 min replay of most of the 5th set on dailymotion. Just search for "French Open 2013 Nadal vs Djokovic." I think that might literally be all there is though. Very pathetic though, that was an amazing match.....glad I watched it live!
Click to expand...

GREAT TIP!! I did not know this was possible! Hopefully I can watch this before the French Open Gestapo eliminates it.
 
P

PMChambers

Hall of Fame
http://t3nnis.tv/index.php

Generally find FO here. Big downloads on slow torrents.

TennisTV allows watching almost any match, and its even cheaper for a tablet App
Click to expand...

Is that streaming or download, the ball disappears in streaming due to high compression for me. Could you give a review? Talk about 720p v 1080p streaming vs download, file size, content available including 80s & 90's.
 
S

slice bh compliment

G.O.A.T.
Haha, and just a short 31 yrs ago, i remember reading about the semis on sunday morning in the newspaper and watching the final on tape delay. Noah over mats in straights. Remarkable match.

I might boycott french toast, maybe french wine....but definitely not the french open.
 
Goosehead

Goosehead

Legend
I won't boycott the French open, but I will boycott French far right politics. does that help ?, no..but that's all yer getting daddio.
 
West Coast Ace

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
tacou said:
Wait the FO won't be on ESPN3 this year?!
Click to expand...
It will. This discussion is about the replaying of matches and highlights; RG's website apparently hasn't offered them and the FFT has had them pulled from YouTube and other video sites.

TeamOB said:
Ironicaly, China seems like the only country that has avoided...censorship....
Click to expand...
That's not accurate. CHN just has no respect for Intellectual Property rights.
 
P

peakofthebounce

Banned
NADALRECORD said:
I like it how because the fans aren't allowed to see Roland Garros on youtube, it makes them extra excited when Roland Garros is on TV. Its very intelligent.
Click to expand...

According to your exclusivity principle, wouldn't it be more intelligent still to not broadcast it on TV - so only the people at the actual event can watch it? The 'cup of christ' would be shared with even fewer people then.

And, why not stop there - why not reduce the stadium size to - I dunno - three people? That would be extremely exclusive - can you imagine how excited the world would be to try to get those three tickets as they know that it's the only chance to see the match?

"Do not share the cup of christ."
 
Sentinel

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
peakofthebounce said:
According to your exclusivity principle, wouldn't it be more intelligent still to not broadcast it on TV - so only the people at the actual event can watch it? The 'cup of christ' would be shared with even fewer people then.

And, why not stop there - why not reduce the stadium size to - I dunno - three people? That would be extremely exclusive - can you imagine how excited the world would be to try to get those three tickets as they know that it's the only chance to see the match?

"Do not share the cup of christ."
Click to expand...
Haha. Touche.
 
NADALRECORD

NADALRECORD

Banned
peakofthebounce said:
According to your exclusivity principle, wouldn't it be more intelligent still to not broadcast it on TV - so only the people at the actual event can watch it? The 'cup of christ' would be shared with even fewer people then.

And, why not stop there - why not reduce the stadium size to - I dunno - three people? That would be extremely exclusive - can you imagine how excited the world would be to try to get those three tickets as they know that it's the only chance to see the match?

"Do not share the cup of christ."
Click to expand...

No, you don't need to go that far. The main issue is to make Roland Garros viewable LIVE (be it on tv or at the stadium).
 
I

InspectorRacquet

Semi-Pro
NADALRECORD said:
No, you don't need to go that far. The main issue is to make Roland Garros viewable LIVE (be it on tv or at the stadium).
Click to expand...

But no one will care to watch it live if there isn't any proof of great matches having taken place there. A score line is just a string of numbers and doesn't tell how good the players were doing at the time.

The thing is, I first got into tennis because I saw the French Open live. I then went on to watch the highlights on YouTube, and now tennis is my main hobby and favorite sport. I wouldn't have gotten as interested in tennis without those highlights.

Exclusivity only means that less people will want to continue watching. No highlights? I would've just said whatever and moved on, not giving tennis a second thought, like I imagine many others doing exactly that.
 
NADALRECORD

NADALRECORD

Banned
Tennis has always been a popular sport and fans had no problem following the game before the internet/youtube arrived.....
 
West Coast Ace

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
NADALRECORD said:
No, you don't need to go that far. The main issue is to make Roland Garros viewable LIVE (be it on tv or at the stadium).
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While most people have DVR's these days, it's shortsighted not to have highlight videos available. Those internet videos are free advertising - might bring more people to the sport who might attend future events.

Like it or not, less people consume video on TV; more and more are using tablets and smartphones.
 
P

peakofthebounce

Banned
NADALRECORD said:
Tennis has always been a popular sport and fans had no problem following the game before the internet/youtube arrived.....
Click to expand...

We had no problem writing letters when the phone didn't exist either.

Have it your way though - let the French Open fall behind the other Slams in popularity, accessibility and promotion opportunities. It won't make up for this shortfall with 'exclusivity' or prestige either, because Wimbledon is considered the most prestigious tournament by 90% of the tennis world (the other 10% comprise people like you).

This will only hurt Nadal's overall popularity, since the French Open is his most successful tournament.
 
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