Wimbledon

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

RE: Wimbledon

Blue_Belle · Strong Club Player

JonH comes home wrote:
GAMEOVER wrote:
If there is a ban again then chances are that Britain will lose its licence to hold major grass court events. Why are we the only country to ban the Russians/Belarus.?
Its a good point but whether we do it shouldnt depend on whether others do: it should be our decision and moral compass applied IMO, whether or not we agree its right.

I dont think we need to fall in line if we dont agree with what others are doing , just because its the popular viewpoint.

Yeah cos our moral compass is so strong(!!!)

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Blue_Belle wrote:
JonH comes home wrote:
GAMEOVER wrote:
If there is a ban again then chances are that Britain will lose its licence to hold major grass court events. Why are we the only country to ban the Russians/Belarus.?
Its a good point but whether we do it shouldnt depend on whether others do: it should be our decision and moral compass applied IMO, whether or not we agree its right.

I dont think we need to fall in line if we dont agree with what others are doing , just because its the popular viewpoint.

Yeah cos our moral compass is so strong(!!!)

I mean ours as in me or you. Not the country. What do you want to happen? Really? I know what I want and the consequences are what they are. And its sad if other countries or people take a different view. Not wrong - thats politics and personal choice.

anyway weve done all this before so Ill stay quiet as I know this time Ill be on the losing side!

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

And Ive swapped views several times !

Lambda · Futures qualifying

GAMEOVER wrote:

If there is a ban again then chances are that Britain will lose its licence to hold major grass court events. Why are we the only country to ban the Russians/Belarus.?

We're not.

Strongbow · All-time great

Lambda wrote:
GAMEOVER wrote:

If there is a ban again then chances are that Britain will lose its licence to hold major grass court events. Why are we the only country to ban the Russians/Belarus.?

We're not.

Since when have we had a moral compass - trending would be more likely - but an interesting arguament smile

dodrade · Satellite level

GAMEOVER wrote:
Why does Svitolina not call for a ban on the other Grand Slams ? She never mentions them.

Presumably as she knows there is little chance of the others doing it.

indiana · Tennis legend

Whether folk think the ban last year was right or wrong and whatever they think should happen this year, it was still so arrogant the way Wimbledon / the LTA ( under whatever government pressure ) unilaterally imposed their ban wirh apparently no real consultation with the other Slams and tennis authorities.

I don't know whether they thought others would follow their lead, I don't know if they cared.

Personally I've always been sceptical of the ban and what it was ever meant to / going to achieve, irrespective of penalties since imposed with potentially much more to come, and would have preferred it was never imposed. But I do certainly see the alternative arguments given such horrendous Russian aggression in the big wide world beyond tennis.

GAMEOVER · Pro player

Reported in the Daily Telegraph 4th February that Roger Federer is being pursued for a commentary role at Wimbledon 2023. He would possibly have some alternating deal with ESPN. Roger comes expensive as he commanded £820,000 for an exhibition event before his retirement. Two regulars missing are the retired Sue Barker and Boris Becker who is not expected to be re-engaged. The main presenting duties are expected to be shared by Clare Balding and Isa Guha. Their names were made in horse racing and cricket respectively. Are there no British ex tennis players now commentating who could do the job? I know in a previous era the likes on non players such as Harry Carpenter and Des Lynam presented the programme but it was a long time ago.

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

GAMEOVER wrote:
Reported in the Daily Telegraph 4th February that Roger Federer is being pursued for a commentary role at Wimbledon 2023. He would possibly have some alternating deal with ESPN. Roger comes expensive as he commanded £820,000 for an exhibition event before his retirement. Two regulars missing are the retired Sue Barker and Boris Becker who is not expected to be re-engaged. The main presenting duties are expected to be shared by Clare Balding and Isa Guha. Their names were made in horse racing and cricket respectively. Are there no British ex tennis players now commentating who could do the job? I know in a previous era the likes on non players such as Harry Carpenter and Des Lynam presented the programme but it was a long time ago.

My favourite is the brilliant Tony Livesey who presents the five live drive time show but also does their Wimbledon coverage with GigI Salmon. Both are v good and Id love to see them on tv .

dodrade · Satellite level

GAMEOVER wrote:
Reported in the Daily Telegraph 4th February that Roger Federer is being pursued for a commentary role at Wimbledon 2023. He would possibly have some alternating deal with ESPN. Roger comes expensive as he commanded £820,000 for an exhibition event before his retirement. Two regulars missing are the retired Sue Barker and Boris Becker who is not expected to be re-engaged. The main presenting duties are expected to be shared by Clare Balding and Isa Guha. Their names were made in horse racing and cricket respectively. Are there no British ex tennis players now commentating who could do the job? I know in a previous era the likes on non players such as Harry Carpenter and Des Lynam presented the programme but it was a long time ago.

Surely Alize Lim on Eurosport proves broadcasting competence to be more important than previous tennis experience? At the peak of her career Sue presented several other sports for the Beeb as well.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I'm quite happy if the main presenter is a good sports commentator, rather than someone with specific tennis knowledge

But I think Gameover has a point - I'd quite like there to be a couple of tennis people too in the team - if you've three people in the studio, say, I think at least one should be a tennis one - just to try and vary the input you're getting (although they don't have to be British)

I also quite like the charming, gossip stooge v insightful, technical guy set-up

Mark Inverdale and Jim Courrier, I thought, did a good job together (even though - or maybe because - Mark was a bit of an idiot)

JonH comes home · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
I'm quite happy if the main presenter is a good sports commentator, rather than someone with specific tennis knowledge

But I think Gameover has a point - I'd quite like there to be a couple of tennis people too in the team - if you've three people in the studio, say, I think at least one should be a tennis one - just to try and vary the input you're getting (although they don't have to be British)

I also quite like the charming, gossip stooge v insightful, technical guy set-up

Mark Inverdale and Jim Courrier, I thought, did a good job together (even though - or maybe because - Mark was a bit of an idiot)

John inverdale originally did the radio five coverage and I think Clare balding was with him before they both moved to tv. Cant recall if mark pougatch took over from him when on radio. Tony Livesey does that job well and plays the role you describe but as a broadcasting pro bringing experts in.

goldfish · Futures qualifying

Surely Alize Lim on Eurosport proves broadcasting competence to be more important than previous tennis experience? At the peak of her career Sue presented several other sports for the Beeb as well.

Alizé Lim was a tennis player, both singles and doubles although only ranked 135 at her highest in singles. Think she does an excellent job.

GAMEOVER · Pro player

JonH comes home wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
I'm quite happy if the main presenter is a good sports commentator, rather than someone with specific tennis knowledge

But I think Gameover has a point - I'd quite like there to be a couple of tennis people too in the team - if you've three people in the studio, say, I think at least one should be a tennis one - just to try and vary the input you're getting (although they don't have to be British)

I also quite like the charming, gossip stooge v insightful, technical guy set-up

Mark Inverdale and Jim Courrier, I thought, did a good job together (even though - or maybe because - Mark was a bit of an idiot)
John inverdale originally did the radio five coverage and I think Clare balding was with him before they both moved to tv. Cant recall if mark pougatch took over from him when on radio. Tony Livesey does that job well and plays the role you describe but as a broadcasting pro bringing experts in.

I can remember Clare Balding reporting from the outside courts at Wimbledon on Radio 5 during the mid 90's. Most things one forgets but I always her views on the way Mary Pierce treated the ball girls.