WTA Allowing On Court Coaching Thing Of The Past
Thursday, July 24, 2008
On July 14, 2006 the following announcement was posted on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour site:
Tour To Trial On-Court Coaching
Rogers Cup in Montreal and Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven to launch test of latest groundbreaking innovation designed to make game more fan friendly and entertaining for TV and in-stadium viewers
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced today the launch of an historic on-court coaching test at the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Montreal and Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob ULTRA in New Haven tournaments that will add to the entertainment value and intrigue to viewers of women's professional tennis. The test represents the first time in women's Tour history that on-court coaching has been trialed, and follows on the heels of the 2006 introduction of a series of groundbreaking innovations designed to enhance the entertainment value of women's tennis to its global television and live viewing audiences. Full Article Here.
Today, according to an article on Reuters, this trial has been halted indefinitely.
I'm not sure that anything was accomplished during this trial, either for the players or the viewing audience. One of the worst aspects for the viewing audience (at least for me) was that most of the coaches and players did not want their conversations to be overheard. They either removed their microphones or spoke in their native languages.
If the trial meant as much to you as it did to me, I doubt that you will miss it.
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