Roland Garros 2009

Watch and hear the tennis from central Paris

by Paul Myers

Article published on the 2009-05-31 Latest update 2009-06-05 14:40 TU

It is unlikely that Rafael Nadal will be following the action from central Paris or on his mobile, barring an early exit.
(Photo: Reuters)

Given that the rules of the game can’t change that much, innovation in tennis has to come in how the sport is sold to the adoring masses.

Last year the power suits and dresses at the French tennis federation dreamed up the idea of erecting a massive screen on the esplanade outside the Hôtel de Ville in central Paris and then transmitting the top matches of the day.

It was such a success that they’re doing it again this year. While last year the extravaganza was inaugurated by the likes of the American grand slam winner John McEnroe and the former Wimbledon finalist Cedric Pioline, this year’s launch was with the French trio of Michael Llodra, Alizé Cornet and Mathilde Johansson as well as the Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

Not quite in the same gravitas league. But then it’s not about names, it’s about projection.

And on a clay court constructed on the esplanade, the four proceeded to play an exhibition mixed doubles match.

But away from the players to the public, since this is who the federation suits care about. So from noon on Sunday on a 55 metre screen, the people will be able to see the top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal try to reach the quarter final for a fifth straight year, this time at the expense of the Swedish 23rd seed Robin Soderling. It should be a good match.

They’ll also be able to hear the grunts forming the soundscape of Maria Sharapova’s match against the Chinese 25th seed Na Li. Last year around 20,000 people stopped off to view matches during the five days that the screen was pumping out the images from Roland Garros.

I am still marked by a football match I saw live on a big screen on the esplanade at the Hotel de Ville. Marked in the sense that I can remember watching the match but cannot for the life of me tell you who was playing.

I do recall that it was sunny evening and I enjoyed the communion of people and sport. While the marketing drives to give tennis to the people are continually impressive, technology has also left me wowed this year.

On my phone I can get a live update of the matches taking place at Roland Garros. I can also see a video summary of the action. Since I’m actually at the stadium, there’s not much need for this application but I’ve downloaded it anyway and it makes me feel a fully functional part of the mechanized ethos.

You wonder how they used to do it in the old days.

l