C L I FF N OT ES
CHALLENGES CREATE OPPORTUNITY Welcome to another issue of Experience Magazine, and hopefully many of you have had a warm welcome back to the tennis court in recent weeks. I want to send my best wishes of health and wellness to everyone; the future is uncertain, but I am encouraged by what our industry has shown in our fight against this pandemic. First and foremost, I am happy that the USTA will be able to host the U.S. Open this fall, albeit with many changes to keep players safe. With no fans in the stands, it’s time to experiment with new ways to engage viewers. Maybe ambient background sound like a laugh track for comedies? Golf is naturally more subdued, but spectatorless golf has not taken much away from the ambiance of the event. More access to players like on court interviews after sets? Announcers much closer to the action? Hear more from players’ natural reactions? How will players react to reduced sizes of their entourages? March back in time to the days of no coaches, masseurs, agents, physios,
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stringers, psychologists, and hitting partners. It should make things more unpredictable, which is a good thing for all parties. How will players return after an extended break? This could be one of the most exciting tournaments in years. There is always a participation spike during and after the majors and I am quite certain there is pent up fever among our lifestyle players. Tennis programming and culture must return with vigor to capitalize on this opportunity. I’m pleased that the USTA has reorganized to focus its efforts on increased participation. We should recognize that the pied pipers of the sport are the teaching pros. I have very high hopes for this investment in the teaching industry and the recognition that this is where the future lies. Finally, it is hard to imagine a better sport than tennis for social distancing and general health. This is an opportunity for us all to spread the good word and encourage new players to play tennis. Communication in a quarantined world has become more crucial than ever, and I hope you all continue to tune in to some of my favorite outlets like the EXPERIENCE weekly newsletter, Tennis.com and Inside Tennis.
EXPERIENCE Magazine | www.ExperienceCDT.com
