Will tennis need to move to fan-less tournaments?

Will tennis move to fan-less tournaments?

  • Yes, they have to adapt to a new reality

    Votes: 20 46.5%

  • No, tennis will wait to restart until people can flock to stadiums again

    Votes: 23 53.5%
  • Total voters
    43
GabeT

GabeT

G.O.A.T.
The Covid-19 crisis has upended the whole professional tour (yes, it has done much more than that but this is a tennis forum so I’m focusing on the impact on tennis). It may take 12-18 months before we have widely available vaccines and it may take even longer before mass gatherings are allowed again and/or people are comfortable in them. It could be 3-4 years before we go back to what used to be normal, assuming we ever do.

Assuming society doesn’t simply collapse pro sports will need to adjust to the new reality. Most people who watch tennis do so from a screen, not in person. Most of the earnings of the sport are from TV rights, not ticket holders.

Other than the very top players, who are rich and have ample resources (monetary, human, logistic), most tennis players can’t simply not play for months, possibly years on end. It would kill off the sport. So some alternative may need to be found. We now face a new world where human-to-human contacts may have to change and tennis with it.

Given that how long before tennis chooses to hold fan-less tournaments (or much smaller fan participation where only fans who can prove they are Covid19 free can buy tickets)? Maybe accelerate the move to virtual reality as the most common way to watch tennis? Sure, we all would love to go back to thousands cheering in a large stadium but how likely is that in the next few years?

Obviously this goes beyond just tennis.
 
Tennis tournaments are sometimes played in 6 different countries during one week, then each of those players/umpires/coaches/other team members fly to a new country, all season long.

The logistics of rearranging the tennis calendar are daunting enough when discussing something like adding an extra grass tournament. Different countries will lift/enforce restrictions at different times and there’s no way to ensure hundreds, if not thousands, of people are staying healthy over the course of near constant international travel.

I don’t see a situation where tennis can come back but large events are still prohibited, other than maybe a one off event for charity or something.
 
"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost (for none now live who remember it - this part is too ominous, but I will leave it there because its a masterpiece quote from LOTR)."

Lots of things will have to change. Maybe streaming and VR will make the stadium experience obsolete.

Maybe people will focus on more important things than showbiz/sports.
 
GabeT said:
The Covid-19 crisis has upended the whole professional tour (yes, it has done much more than that but this is a tennis forum so I’m focusing on the impact on tennis). It may take 12-18 months before we have widely available vaccines and it may take even longer before mass gatherings are allowed again and/or people are comfortable in them. It could be 3-4 years before we go back to what used to be normal, assuming we ever do.

Assuming society doesn’t simply collapse pro sports will need to adjust to the new reality. Most people who watch tennis do so from a screen, not in person. Most of the earnings of the sport are from TV rights, not ticket holders.

Other than the very top players, who are rich and have ample resources (monetary, human, logistic), most tennis players can’t simply not play for months, possibly years on end. It would kill off the sport. So some alternative may need to be found. We now face a new world where human-to-human contacts may have to change and tennis with it.

Given that how long before tennis chooses to hold fan-less tournaments (or much smaller fan participation where only fans who can prove they are Covid19 free can buy tickets)? Maybe accelerate the move to virtual reality as the most common way to watch tennis? Sure, we all would love to go back to thousands cheering in a large stadium but how likely is that in the next few years?

Obviously this goes beyond just tennis.
Click to expand...
It's probably the only way forward, but even then majors have 128 players which poses a hazard in itself. I hate to say it, but barring some new ground-breaking innovation in VR, society may have to move on from professional sports in the near future.
 
tacou said:
Tennis tournaments are sometimes played in 6 different countries during one week, then each of those players/umpires/coaches/other team members fly to a new country, all season long.

The logistics of rearranging the tennis calendar are daunting enough when discussing something like adding an extra grass tournament. Different countries will lift/enforce restrictions at different times and there’s no way to ensure hundreds, if not thousands, of people are staying healthy over the course of near constant international travel.

I don’t see a situation where tennis can come back but large events are still prohibited, other than maybe a one off event for charity or something.
Click to expand...
I’m assuming a return to air travel. If that’s not the case then obviously we have bigger problems. The point I’m making is that even after the worst of the current crisis is over and businesses open up again people will still likely not be allowed or not be interested in mass gatherings
 
It's obviously what they should be doing if possible. TV rights (more valuable with folks in quarantine than ever) and sponsorship's account for well over 50% of a tournaments traditional revenue by most accounts. Makes sense to do it if things are safe enough to play but not safe enough for tens of thousands to be in a crowd.
 
King No1e said:
It's probably the only way forward, but even then majors have 128 players which poses a hazard in itself. I hate to say it, but barring some new ground-breaking innovation in VR, society may have to move on from professional sports in the near future.
Click to expand...
maybe, but absent a post apocalytic type of scenario I can’t see pro sports simply disappearing. Too much money and too many people involved. They will need to find new ways for fans to participate
 
GabeT said:
I’m assuming a return to air travel. If that’s not the case then obviously we have bigger problems. The point I’m making is that even after the worst of the current crisis is over and businesses open up again people will still likely not be allowed or not be interested in mass gatherings
Click to expand...
The "worst" may not be over, though. This is just the first wave of infections, which could just be the tip of the iceberg. If businesses open up again, then an even bigger 2nd wave may start (unless the whole world suddenly gets its act together like South Korea). We would have to make some challenging decisions as to how we balance human lives against the life of society/economy, and start having "open" and "closed" phases of the year.
 
King No1e said:
The "worst" may not be over, though. This is just the first wave of infections, which could just be the tip of the iceberg. If businesses open up again, then an even bigger 2nd wave may start (unless the whole world suddenly gets its act together like South Korea). We would have to make some challenging decisions as to how we balance human lives against the life of society/economy, and start having "open" and "closed" phases of the year.
Click to expand...
Agree. I’m not forecasting when the crisis will be fully over. No one knows that. But at some point it will be safe to open businesses again and to travel. All I’m saying is that that will likely happen long before people are allowed/willing to participate in mass events. So sports will need to adapt.
 
I would sincerely hope not (unless we're talking about exhos etc to tide us over).

I'd rather tennis was suspended until we are absolutely sure it is safe for crowds - say, to summer 2021 if necessary - rather than start playing tourneys with just players there. As someone who has attended many tennis tournaments, the spectators and atmosphere are part of what makes them special. And for the tournaments themselves, they are a large part of guaranteeing their financial security.

This is just my view. I get why others might want tennis back in any form, as soon as possible.
 
Phoenix1983 said:
I would sincerely hope not (unless we're talking about exhos etc to tide us over).

I'd rather tennis was suspended until we are absolutely sure it is safe for crowds - say, to summer 2021 if necessary - rather than start playing tourneys with just players there. As someone who has attended many tennis tournaments, the spectators and atmosphere are part of what makes them special. And for the tournaments themselves, they are a large part of guaranteeing their financial security.

This is just my view. I get why others might want tennis back in any form, as soon as possible.
Click to expand...
I get this. I do wonder though if social distancing will continue for so long that it will end pro sports as we know it unless they adapt.
 
Larry Ellison already said (and he should know) that even at IW with no crowds, "at least" 500 people would have to be around the stadium for any given match: reporters, TV crews, announcers, coaches, players, locker room people, janitors, people cleaning the facility, linespeople, the chair, etc. etc.

Why do people endlessly start threads which have already been addressed? Tennis will not be played with no spectators. Wimbledon stated this wasn't an option before they cancelled, the USO has also said it.
 
BeatlesFan said:
Larry Ellison already said (and he should know) that even at IW with no crowds, "at least" 500 people would have to be around the stadium for any given match: reporters, TV crews, announcers, coaches, players, locker room people, janitors, people cleaning the facility, linespeople, the chair, etc. etc.

Why do people endlessly start threads which have already been addressed? Tennis will not be played with no spectators. Wimbledon stated this wasn't an option before they cancelled, the USO has also said it.
Click to expand...
Soccer, which has normally much bigger crowds than tennis, has already had instances of playing matches without spectators.

Pro sports is not simply going to watch a whole industry disappear. Maybe we get lucky and can all return to large stadiums in a few months or a year. But if that’s not the case pro sports will need to adapt. That includes Larry Ellison
 
GabeT said:
I’m assuming a return to air travel. If that’s not the case then obviously we have bigger problems.
Click to expand...


Well, yes, that goes without saying. What I'm saying is the amount of people and the amount of international involved with a tennis tournament is too great. It's not like the NBA, for example, a league that could potentially try to play out the rest of the season at a neutral, isolated site. There's no way to do that in tennis, you would need to completely reformat what a tennis season is and how points are tracked, just not doable. By the time it is safe to resume professional tennis, gatherings will be as normal.

GabeT said:
The point I’m making is that even after the worst of the current crisis is over and businesses open up again people will still likely not be allowed or not be interested in mass gatherings
Click to expand...

Well, I guess I misinterpreted your OP. You're suggesting once this whole things settles down, whenever that might be, the global community might no longer attend live sporting events? I don't see that as very plausible, though smaller leagues and niche sports, like all industries, will definitely struggle. But, no, I do not see a future where tennis is no longer played in front of a live audience, but still exists as a professional sport.
 
tacou said:
Well, I guess I misinterpreted your OP. You're suggesting once this whole things settles down, whenever that might be, the global community might no longer attend live sporting events? I don't see that as very plausible, though smaller leagues and niche sports, like all industries, will definitely struggle. But, no, I do not see a future where tennis is no longer played in front of a live audience, but still exists as a professional sport.
Click to expand...

i think that the risk is high that it will take a long time, possibly years, before we return to what we considered normal only two months ago. Maybe we get a great vaccine in a few months and all this goes away. But if not people are going to avoid large gatherings for a long time. If that’s the case I think pro sports will need to adapt.
 
A simple thing to do is to halve the number of tickets you sell until a vaccine arrives on the scene.

Demand will be weak, in any event, until there is a vaccine.
 
GabeT said:
i think that the risk is high that it will take a long time, possibly years, before we return to what we considered normal only two months ago. Maybe we get a great vaccine in a few months and all this goes away. But if not people are going to avoid large gatherings for a long time. If that’s the case I think pro sports will need to adapt.
Click to expand...
I totally agree with that. I just don’t see pro sports ending, nor do I think a fan-less tennis tour is something we will see.
 
I was just thinking about this the other day. I could envision a staggered approach for when the tour resumes. It might start out as fanless, or I wonder if they could socially distance everyone in the crowd and have partial attendance? Maybe not, but I think that the sport will find a way to adapt to the new situation.

Remember, this is not going to last forever. It is majorly disrupting our lives, but I don't believe our lives will come to a complete halt. Human beings are good at innovating. Tennis will survive, I'm confident.
 
GabeT said:
The Covid-19 crisis has upended the whole professional tour (yes, it has done much more than that but this is a tennis forum so I’m focusing on the impact on tennis). It may take 12-18 months before we have widely available vaccines and it may take even longer before mass gatherings are allowed again and/or people are comfortable in them. It could be 3-4 years before we go back to what used to be normal, assuming we ever do.

Assuming society doesn’t simply collapse pro sports will need to adjust to the new reality. Most people who watch tennis do so from a screen, not in person. Most of the earnings of the sport are from TV rights, not ticket holders.

Other than the very top players, who are rich and have ample resources (monetary, human, logistic), most tennis players can’t simply not play for months, possibly years on end. It would kill off the sport. So some alternative may need to be found. We now face a new world where human-to-human contacts may have to change and tennis with it.

Given that how long before tennis chooses to hold fan-less tournaments (or much smaller fan participation where only fans who can prove they are Covid19 free can buy tickets)? Maybe accelerate the move to virtual reality as the most common way to watch tennis? Sure, we all would love to go back to thousands cheering in a large stadium but how likely is that in the next few years?

Obviously this goes beyond just tennis.
Click to expand...
Your post seems like music to every Federer fan's ears right about now! :-D :-D :-D They probably wish the sport dies forever!
 
GabeT said:
The Covid-19 crisis has upended the whole professional tour (yes, it has done much more than that but this is a tennis forum so I’m focusing on the impact on tennis). It may take 12-18 months before we have widely available vaccines and it may take even longer before mass gatherings are allowed again and/or people are comfortable in them. It could be 3-4 years before we go back to what used to be normal, assuming we ever do.

Assuming society doesn’t simply collapse pro sports will need to adjust to the new reality. Most people who watch tennis do so from a screen, not in person. Most of the earnings of the sport are from TV rights, not ticket holders.

Other than the very top players, who are rich and have ample resources (monetary, human, logistic), most tennis players can’t simply not play for months, possibly years on end. It would kill off the sport. So some alternative may need to be found. We now face a new world where human-to-human contacts may have to change and tennis with it.

Given that how long before tennis chooses to hold fan-less tournaments (or much smaller fan participation where only fans who can prove they are Covid19 free can buy tickets)? Maybe accelerate the move to virtual reality as the most common way to watch tennis? Sure, we all would love to go back to thousands cheering in a large stadium but how likely is that in the next few years?

Obviously this goes beyond just tennis.
Click to expand...

I dont think Djokovic would notice much change :runs:
 
Over here, they won't let anyone use the recreation centres, parks, playgrounds or tennis courts. It's all lockdown. If anyone is caught using them, they'll be fined.
 
Hitman said:
And he is likely to win it. Not sure what keeping the belt on Goldberg will do.
Click to expand...

Goldberg gasses out after a 45sec promo. I have no idea why they find him so appealing.

He cannot get braun up in the jack hammer, so he has two moves left, a punch and spear.
 
Hitman said:
Sadly 781 people died in USA today, and 1,355 in France - The places where some actually think USO and RG will still happen this year... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
And a lot more people will die in the coming weeks, but this thing isn't going to last forever
 
Hitman said:
It was really to get Roman over, more than anything else. Basically it would be a spear v spear match.
Click to expand...

Roman is a great guy, but very limited in the right. Watched smackdown last night and the replayed his win over HHH. No idea why he always gets a push. He is also paid the highest of anyone (brock redid contract).

When he had seth and moxley he was the third wheel and they got him over

He just isnt worth it
 
jm1980 said:
And a lot more people will die in the coming weeks, but this thing isn't going to last forever
Click to expand...

Of course it isn't going to last forever, but taking into account what the current situation is and will continue to be for a little while yet, I do find it amusing that some are hanging onto the thread that USO and RG will be taking place, when death rates are surging in those host nations right now.
 
Chadwix said:
Roman is a great guy, but very limited in the right. Watched smackdown last night and the replayed his win over HHH. No idea why he always gets a push. He is also paid the highest of anyone (brock redid contract).

When he had seth and moxley he was the third wheel and they got him over

He just isnt worth it
Click to expand...

Vince sees him as the next Rock, them being related and all. Vince always goes for the look, and often overlooks the real workers out there.
 
Hitman said:
Of course it isn't going to last forever, but taking into account what the current situation is and will continue to be for a little while yet, I do find it amusing that some are hanging onto the thread that USO and RG will be taking place, when death rates are surging into those host nations right now.
Click to expand...
Depends on how long "a little while" lasts, no?

covid19.healthdata.org

IHME | COVID-19 Projections

Explore forecasts of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospital resource use.
covid19.healthdata.org covid19.healthdata.org

According to the site above (which is maintained by the University of Washington), deaths in the US are projected to tail off by July.
 
Last edited:
GabeT said:
Soccer, which has normally much bigger crowds than tennis, has already had instances of playing matches without spectators.

Pro sports is not simply going to watch a whole industry disappear. Maybe we get lucky and can all return to large stadiums in a few months or a year. But if that’s not the case pro sports will need to adapt. That includes Larry Ellison
Click to expand...

Is football, mate!
;)
 
Hitman said:
Vince sees him as the next Rock, them being related and all. Vince always goes for the look, and often overlooks the real workers out there.
Click to expand...

He can try all he wants but roman is like that big woman who isnt on anymore, think she is related to the rock as well.

Sloppy in the ring and terrible on the mic
 
BeatlesFan said:
Larry Ellison already said (and he should know) that even at IW with no crowds, "at least" 500 people would have to be around the stadium for any given match: reporters, TV crews, announcers, coaches, players, locker room people, janitors, people cleaning the facility, linespeople, the chair, etc. etc.

Why do people endlessly start threads which have already been addressed? Tennis will not be played with no spectators. Wimbledon stated this wasn't an option before they cancelled, the USO has also said it.
Click to expand...

OP seems to think a professional tennis tournament never gathers more than 2 players and an umpire.

There'll be no tennis until it's safe to gather, then it will be safe to fill the stands.
 
jm1980 said:
Depends on how long "a little while" lasts, no?

covid19.healthdata.org

IHME | COVID-19 Projections

Explore forecasts of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospital resource use.
covid19.healthdata.org covid19.healthdata.org

According to the site above (which is maintained by the University of Washington), deaths in the US are projected to tail off by July.
Caveat is, I think it assumes current lockdown measures will remain in place indefinitely
Click to expand...

Tennis are international events, people from all corners of globe, places where the level of control might not be the same as in the US will be having players, coaches, their entourage among other things. It just takes one person to sneak it in accidentally. After the control is done, there will be a period of restrictions in place to ensure there is no relapse, and gradually things will be getting back to normal. I think opening up the countries to international events might not happen a month after possible tailing off in July.
 
Hitman said:
Tennis are international events, people from all corners of globe, places where the level of control might not be the same as in the US will be having players, coaches, their entourage among other things. It just takes one person to sneak it in accidentally. After the control is done, there will be a period of restrictions in place to ensure there is no relapse, and gradually things will be getting back to normal. I think opening up the countries to international events might not happen a month after possible tailing off in July.
Click to expand...
If we are going to have to wait for a timeline where the entire world has this under control, then nothing is going to happen until the middle of next year at the earliest
 
jm1980 said:
If we are going to have to wait for a timeline where the entire world has this under control, then nothing is going to happen until the middle of next year at the earliest
Click to expand...

I do think the next three slams will be shelved and the next one will be RG 2021.
 
tonylg said:
OP seems to think a professional tennis tournament never gathers more than 2 players and an umpire.

There'll be no tennis until it's safe to gather, then it will be safe to fill the stands.
Click to expand...
In a crowdless scenario, everyone who needs to be on the grounds can be effectively screened, and only be allowed in if they test negative.

This would greatly mitigate the risk of further spreading the disease
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hitman
Your best five consecutive years as a tennis fan
2
Replies
98
Views
4K
Mustard
Mustard
socallefty
  • Poll Poll
Which non-Slam tournaments are you less likely to watch?
Replies
14
Views
832
DSH
DSH
REKX
  • Poll Poll
Tennis after the Big 3 - What to expect?
Replies
24
Views
1K
Tennfan123
T
T
The "Game Always Evolves" Falsehood Is A Complete Myth!
Replies
2
Views
264
Tennis Devolution
T
Backbored
Entering tournaments, only to pull out.
Replies
5
Views
918
neo
N
Back
Top