[glagoliska]

Was curious if other folks were upset, like myself, over the lack of WTA coverage on TV this past weekend at Indian Wells. I talked with a commentator at the Indian Wells tournament and he seemed to explain things fully. Again, seems to come back to the WTA tour not stepping up and getting the world feed for that 1st weekend. He mentioned that the world feed
is negotiated upfront at the beginning of the year - and it seems to
automatically go solely to the ATP w/o any WTA tour access. Again, not sure
why there's a WTA tour if it's not a priority to put them on TV as much as you can - especially during a first weekend of a major tournament when there's 22
hours devoted to the ATP (w/o any mention of the women). So suggest putting out strong emails to Steve Simon (he's on the Board of Directors for the WTA and tournament director for Indian Wells - and his email address is at the Indian wells website under the contact us weblink - http://www.bnpparibasopen.org/4/tour...ct/default.asp) and of
course Larry Scott, the CEO of the WTA tour; to let them know this is unacceptable. Although not mentioned upfront, tennis channel has kind of admitted that there's more money in showing ATP matches from the advertisers. Also, perhaps advertisers and the tennis channel feels that no one watches the women if the Williams sisters aren't in it. Also, the tennis channel is definitely showing less WTA tournaments than previous years (e.g., no showing of Memphis this year and other tournaments). If anyone else has any insight - feel free to post.

[RooxiaNof]

Here is my satisfaction on WTA coverage -

WTA had some major upsets while the ATP was business as usual.

[inmeirulez]

No Williams, no Sharapova, not even a single American seed.

I'd be lying if I said I cared a great deal about this women's draw...

[Breevereurl]

I'm not surprised there's no coverage (and I consider FSN having coverage as good as no coverage because FSN sucks).

I would like to hope that Tennis Channel gets the rights to the women's tournament next year but I'm not holding my breath.

[glagoliska]

And that's probably the reason why there was no WTA coverage - e.g., no Williams sisters and no Sharapova. But think there's still interesting stories there with the kids (e.g., Safina, Radwanska, Wozniacki, Szavay, etc); especially with the upsets. I'd rather they just come out and say "advertisers only pay for ATP tennis . . . we're trying to change things, but it may take some time," than falsely advertise that we're going to see everything and then we become upset that instead it's 22 hours devoted to the ATP (w/o even a mention of the women's draw - like they don't exist); to me, that's even more insulting and disturbing that the WTA tour would allow that to continue.

[Mifsnavassy]

No Williams, no Sharapova, not even a single American seed.

This automatically qualifies it as my favourite WTA tournament ever and no one's showing it!

Seriously, that is a crap marketing job by the WTA. If they're relying solely on 3 people to sell the whole thing, they're going to have some extremely rough times. Relying on star power is lazy.

[BaselBimbooooo]

The WTA needs a better product. That's the bottomline.

[joOEMcheapSOFTWARE]

No Williams, no Sharapova, not even a single American seed.

I'd be lying if I said I cared a great deal about this women's draw...

I'm pretty much in agreement. Even without Venus, Serena, and Maria, I was still interested in the tournament. But, given the current state of the draw ... I must admit I'm not falling over myself to see Alisa Kleybanova V. Nuria Llagostera Vives.

[inmeirulez]

The WTA needs a better product. That's the bottomline.

And there you go. Safina and Ivanovic as front runners at a tournament means you're going to see some absolutely fugly tennis.

[daasayse]

No Williams, no Sharapova, not even a single American seed.

I'd be lying if I said I cared a great deal about this women's draw...

But there's no international coverage either. deal was made before there was no Sharapova, and Miami is the same, Williams sisters and all

[Imampaictjg]

FSN will only show one women's match tonight. Daniela v. Petra.

[Gometesstem]

Coverage is even more miserable in Europe. Live coverage is women only and so far has consisted of no more than two matches a day. Some tape delayed men's matches on a local sports channel and that's all...

Of course there are some live streams, but...

[Breevereurl]

FSN Detroit is showing Haynes and Pennetta. Highlight: Mamaport commentating.

[joOEMcheapSOFTWARE]

Coverage is even more miserable in Europe. Live coverage is women only and so far has consisted of no more than two matches a day. Some tape delayed men's matches on a local sports channel and that's all...

Of course there are some live streams, but...

That's what you get for leaving us!

[glagoliska]

There's always interesting stories from the young women players performing upsets (e.g., Suarez-Navarro at the Australian, all the young women here), even Alexa Glatch to some extent - would have been really nice to see her over the weekend given she's been MIA for so long. But believe the point was made I guess a couple of US Open's ago - when they had to have the Williams sisters on back to back nights even if it screwed up the draw/order of play - they think no one wants to see other women in prime-time if their names aren't Williams or Sharapova. Whether it's true or not, that's pretty sad to me - and agree, a very poor marketing job by the WTA tour.

[Gometesstem]

That's what you get for leaving us!

You will be the jealous one once the tour moves over here.

[MyLeva]

If the tennis is good, I'll love any tournament. Who'da thunk I'd be all over a Dokic/Kleybanova match, but it was cracking. That said, I have no basis for knowing as I couldn't see a damn minute of it til about an hour ago.

[RooxiaNof]

There's always interesting stories from the young women players performing upsets (e.g., Suarez-Navarro at the Australian, all the young women here), even Alexa Glatch to some extent - would have been really nice to see her over the weekend given she's been MIA for so long. But believe the point was made I guess a couple of US Open's ago - when they had to have the Williams sisters on back to back nights even if it screwed up the draw/order of play - they think no one wants to see other women in prime-time if their names aren't Williams or Sharapova. Whether it's true or not, that's pretty sad to me - and agree, a very poor marketing job by the WTA tour.

That was the draw that the heavyweights were in the top half and Maria was in the bottom half but TV plans were messed up when Aggie defeated Maria in R32.

[RooxiaNof]

FSN Detroit is showing Haynes and Pennetta. Highlight: Mamaport commentating.

At least, I got something to look forward to at 9:30 PM CST tonight when Petra play Daniela.

[Sniliabiz]

But there's no international coverage either. deal was made before there was no Sharapova, and Miami is the same, Williams sisters and all

Great point.