Jennifer
10-01-2004, 06:51 PM
http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/10/02/stsupe02.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/10/02/ixsport.html
Winner-takes-all format launched with McEnroe
By Mark Hodgkinson
(Filed: 02/10/2004)
A new twist on the sport will be premiered in Britain tomorrow, one that has been glibly described as "closer to WWF wrestling than Wimbledon", but which, if the public takes to it, could become an irritant to those who prefer their tennis strawberries-and-cream traditional.
Superset Tennis, an exhibition event that will award a winner-takes-all cheque for £250,000, brings a whole range of innovations to how the game can be played. When the concept was tried in the United States, with a pilot in Oregon, this more instantly gratifying form of tennis proved popular with the younger, hipper demographic.
The first event in Britain, at Wembley Arena, is not believed to be making a profit, but Steven Duval, the Australian entrepreneur behind Superset, believes that the format can be a long-term success here. "Certain people may be concerned, but unfortunately the sport isn't currently changing to keep up with today's requirements," Duval said.
The one-set matches and eight-man draw means that the winner will only compete in three sets for the cartoonishly large cheque. The rules actively encourage players to question line-calls, with new technology in place to adjudicate. Players will also be able to consult with their coach at changeovers, and will be attached to heart-monitors.
Duval is planning a season of Superset events across the world, and has already won the support of the agents and management companies who represent the players. This allegiance could prove useful if the men's and women's tours try to block their top attractions from appearing at Superset events. He also has the endorsement of the Lawn Tennis Association.
Duval has been compared, in some quarters, to Kerry Packer, the Australian who caused such concern for the cricket establishment in 1977. "Packer came in and did that to cricket, which was a dying sport, and now it's a billion-dollar industry. We want to do the same to tennis.'' he said.
When Duval launched Superset in London, he did so in a fashionable restaurant in Mayfair and the guest-list was impressive. He believes that tennis in this country is lacking sex appeal. Tomorrow's tennis will be introduced with rock music and lights.
"We are not trying to be in competition with existing tennis events," Duval said. "We truly believe that we are healthy for them because we're going to re-invigorate interest and reach a whole new audience, which is good for tennis as a whole." Others have suggested that, by filling their line-up with three former players, rather than sticking with current players only, Superset is a missed opportunity. The organisers must have felt they needed John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic to lure the casual fan, but the event might have had greater relevance without.
McEnroe, who plays British junior Andrew Murray, believes that Superset will make an impact. "My guess is that it will appeal to more than just tennis fans," the New Yorker said. "They've got to look at the bigger picture and make room for it, otherwise this guy will meet with a lot of resistance, especially if it's successful. Anything that brings attention to tennis cannot harm it."
Winner-takes-all format launched with McEnroe
By Mark Hodgkinson
(Filed: 02/10/2004)
A new twist on the sport will be premiered in Britain tomorrow, one that has been glibly described as "closer to WWF wrestling than Wimbledon", but which, if the public takes to it, could become an irritant to those who prefer their tennis strawberries-and-cream traditional.
Superset Tennis, an exhibition event that will award a winner-takes-all cheque for £250,000, brings a whole range of innovations to how the game can be played. When the concept was tried in the United States, with a pilot in Oregon, this more instantly gratifying form of tennis proved popular with the younger, hipper demographic.
The first event in Britain, at Wembley Arena, is not believed to be making a profit, but Steven Duval, the Australian entrepreneur behind Superset, believes that the format can be a long-term success here. "Certain people may be concerned, but unfortunately the sport isn't currently changing to keep up with today's requirements," Duval said.
The one-set matches and eight-man draw means that the winner will only compete in three sets for the cartoonishly large cheque. The rules actively encourage players to question line-calls, with new technology in place to adjudicate. Players will also be able to consult with their coach at changeovers, and will be attached to heart-monitors.
Duval is planning a season of Superset events across the world, and has already won the support of the agents and management companies who represent the players. This allegiance could prove useful if the men's and women's tours try to block their top attractions from appearing at Superset events. He also has the endorsement of the Lawn Tennis Association.
Duval has been compared, in some quarters, to Kerry Packer, the Australian who caused such concern for the cricket establishment in 1977. "Packer came in and did that to cricket, which was a dying sport, and now it's a billion-dollar industry. We want to do the same to tennis.'' he said.
When Duval launched Superset in London, he did so in a fashionable restaurant in Mayfair and the guest-list was impressive. He believes that tennis in this country is lacking sex appeal. Tomorrow's tennis will be introduced with rock music and lights.
"We are not trying to be in competition with existing tennis events," Duval said. "We truly believe that we are healthy for them because we're going to re-invigorate interest and reach a whole new audience, which is good for tennis as a whole." Others have suggested that, by filling their line-up with three former players, rather than sticking with current players only, Superset is a missed opportunity. The organisers must have felt they needed John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic to lure the casual fan, but the event might have had greater relevance without.
McEnroe, who plays British junior Andrew Murray, believes that Superset will make an impact. "My guess is that it will appeal to more than just tennis fans," the New Yorker said. "They've got to look at the bigger picture and make room for it, otherwise this guy will meet with a lot of resistance, especially if it's successful. Anything that brings attention to tennis cannot harm it."