ATP makes history in Washington with player-worn microphones for doubles
History will be made this week at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington. For the first time, the ATP will trial player-worn microphones during doubles matches at the ATP 500 event.
This innovation, part of the 2024 ATP Doubles Trial, aims to enhance the fan and broadcast experience, while also amplifying the profiles of the players. This will take place across select doubles matches throughout the week.
Have you ever wondered what a doubles team is discussing before a critical deuce point, or what they are joking about during a changeover?
Now fans will be closer to the action than ever before with players mic’d up.
Fans will be able to hear these fly-on-the-wall moments live during broadcasts and clipped on the ATP’s digital channels throughout the tournament.
You can listen to NBA players chatting in their huddle, Formula 1 drivers speaking to their race engineers and MLB players sharing their thoughts mid-play. Now you can also hear tennis players live during the action.
ATP Chief Sporting Officer Ross Hutchins said: “The continuation of the 2024 ATP Doubles Trial with the introduction of player-worn microphones during competition is a transformative opportunity for players, fans and the sport as a whole. This will provide fans live, never-before-seen insight into tactics players use during critical points of a match, while also providing interesting glimpses into the lighter, funny moments of the action. Thanks to Mark Ein and the Mubadala Citi DC Open for their vision and collaboration on this project. We look forward to an impactful week in Washington.”
Mubadala Citi DC Open Tournament Chairman Mark Ein said: “I have wanted to bring live mic’ing to tennis for many years after seeing the powerful impact of it in other sports like the NBA and NFL, who collaborated with us on this pilot. We are thrilled that the Mubadala Citi DC Open will be the first tour event ever to use it and know that it will bring fans inside the court, allowing them to hear the most unique insights into the game. This will be an important innovation that will greatly benefit doubles and the sport more broadly.”
[ATP APP]The following changes will also be trialed during the Washington doubles event:
- There will be a maximum of 21 seconds between all points.
- There will be 60-second changeovers with time called after 40 seconds.
- Each team may request a 10-second time extension on their serve once per set, including tie-breaks.
- Free crowd movement will be allowed on the sides of the court.
- Eight teams are seeded (up from four) to help create singles versus doubles team matches in the first round.
- When possible there will be a doubles-only court.
The 2024 ATP Doubles Trial began at the Mutua Madrid Open. Further trials have been held at Queen’s Club, Hamburg, Gstaad, Newport and Kitzbühel.
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