World Cup is Hot, Wimbledon is Not

That's what the television ratings say and it's troubling.

The Group stages of this year's World Cup have drawn 62.3 million U.S. viewers to Univision Deportes, while Wimbledon ratings on ESPN are about 1/10 of that number. I love Wimbledon, it's a magical place and a great event, but let's face it, Wimbledon’s image is stuffy and the announcing is as hip as an old man with a pony tail and an earring.

Chris Evert gushed over the job Patrick McEnroe is doing to create American champions. "Congratulations Patrick." she said.

I haven't seen such a premature "Mission Accomplished" proclamation since 2003 on the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Chrissy and Pam Shriver then proceeded to debate Sloane Stevens’ forehand mechanics as the next great American lost in the first round.

It was a yawnfest of chatter … boring, stodgy and pretentious.

Maybe that's why the lobby of my Club was filled with young campers watching The World Cup at lunch. I offered to turn the channel to watch Wimbledon and was sternly warned, “Don't even think about changing this!”

So I watched a little of the USA-Portugal game. I know little about soccer and the broadcast was in Spanish which I don't speak. Still, I like the announcing. No Brad Gilbert calling Cristiano Ronaldo "Rocket Ronnie," just "Scoreeeeeeeee!"

Centercourt
USTA NTC

January/February 2024 Digital Edition