Tennis Channel has premiered a new commentary show "2nd Serve." 2-3 guys chatting about tennis on one screen while they show some of the live tennis action from around the world.
It's been interesting, feels a little more like talk radio or a talk show then tennis commentary, but they go a little deeper in the weeds asking stuff that the mainstream media don't care about as much or rarely touch. So I had some interest and hope for this show.
They were having a great interview with Michael Chang. He was recounting his Roland Garros win, pulling out the underhand serve vs. Lendl. Commentators asked what type of string he used and what tension--Prince Pro Blend (Kevlar) in the mid 60s. Discussed more string stuff with a pro which was fun....
Then they bring out a whole segment on PB. Chang talks about the Pickle Ball Slam--which aired on ESPN not TC, aired against ATP TC coverage. After he and commentators glorified it and Chang's segment was gone, it goes to Sam Querry volleying PBs live with one of the other commentators on stage (tennis no longer on the screen). Then they spend a big chunk of time talking about Querry and PB before going into all the professional leagues and then a full interview with the founder of Major League PB.
No longer showing tennis on the side, instead showing PB clips that aren't live.
This is not a good sign when the sports channel of a sport is investing so much time in another sport.
Not any tennis coverage marketed tennis as well as it is marketing PB.
It's been interesting, feels a little more like talk radio or a talk show then tennis commentary, but they go a little deeper in the weeds asking stuff that the mainstream media don't care about as much or rarely touch. So I had some interest and hope for this show.
They were having a great interview with Michael Chang. He was recounting his Roland Garros win, pulling out the underhand serve vs. Lendl. Commentators asked what type of string he used and what tension--Prince Pro Blend (Kevlar) in the mid 60s. Discussed more string stuff with a pro which was fun....
Then they bring out a whole segment on PB. Chang talks about the Pickle Ball Slam--which aired on ESPN not TC, aired against ATP TC coverage. After he and commentators glorified it and Chang's segment was gone, it goes to Sam Querry volleying PBs live with one of the other commentators on stage (tennis no longer on the screen). Then they spend a big chunk of time talking about Querry and PB before going into all the professional leagues and then a full interview with the founder of Major League PB.
No longer showing tennis on the side, instead showing PB clips that aren't live.
This is not a good sign when the sports channel of a sport is investing so much time in another sport.
Not any tennis coverage marketed tennis as well as it is marketing PB.
