Excitement was buzzing around Melbourne on Thursday ahead of the draw ceremony for the Australian Open. It was a opportunity to get the momentum going ahead of one of the biggest tournaments of the year. Their inaugural televised broadcast was a good intention, but it sparked a series of unwanted criticism.
Hosted at Melbourne Park, the draw featured two of the most marketable players in the sport – Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. As fans waited eagerly for the draw, they were delayed by a further 30 minutes whilst the interviews were conducted. To a degree this was understandable considering they had two tennis stars as their feature. Unfortunately, during the interviews, officials were left embarrassed.
Conducting the draw with the help of a computer, members of the media attending were able to see parts of it. Resulting in it being leaked onto social media before an official announcement. Very soon the ceremony was not so much an anticipated event, but one that frustrated many.
https://twitter.com/pluckyloser/status/951379586880749568
the Australian Open draw ceremony is currently some dude telling Maria Sharapova that having a family is an important part of life.
dear God.
— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) January 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/rosso_neri/status/951389014539620354
In the past, tennis fans have relished the opportunity that they could watch the draw being conducted live. This, however appears to be an approach disappearing. Instead the host talks with players for an average of 50% or more of the allotted time with the draw then being posted. Not exciting build up, just a plain ‘here is the draw, please look at it.’
The Australian Open is not alone and should not be singled out for how they conduct their draw ceremonies. The US open also take the same approach. They both have their justifiable reasons as to why they do this. They want to provide the entertainment value for fans and demonstrate that they are current. Although this is debatable.
The Sharapova debate
Like her play on the court, Sharapova has a fierce personality and is a fighter. The five-time grand slam champion knew that when she was asked to attend the draw, there would be remarks. After-all, it was at the event two years ago where she tested positive for Meldonium and was suspended for 15-months.
https://twitter.com/tumcarayol/status/951364592361443328
Organisers argued that they wanted to speak with a former champion and Sharapova certainly meet those requirements. They just went wrong was during the interview. As a grand slam event, it is pivotal that they demonstrate what the sport stands for. Talking to the Russian about her ‘break’ or ‘time away’ from the sport was not that. If the sport is highlighting a strict anti-doping policy, they should have said to Sharapova ‘after your suspension.’ Regardless of if she intentionally meant to cheat or not, that’s the reality of the matter. Any other attempt to cover it is a hit in the face for anti-doping officials.
“We wanted to have a former champion,” tournament director Craig Tiley said in Sharapova’s defence.
“The challenge we always have this week is there is the (concurrent) Sydney event, the Hobart event and there are also other events. As part of the tradition, we have the former champions.
“In fairness to Maria, the adjudication (on a 15-month ban) has occurred on that. She’s a former champion at the Australian Open, 10 years ago.”
Yesterday should have been a time for fans to wet their appetite ahead of one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world. Instead, draws leaking online and questionable interviewing was something that was unwanted by many.
Tennis is a sport that is proud of its tradition and maybe that is how grand slams should conduct their draws. At least then there will be no negativity heading into the first major of 2018.
