The Evolution of Spectator Behavior in Professional Tennis

There was a time when you could hear flies dropping during major tennis tournaments. Around the sacrosanct Center Court of Wimbledon, the honorable Ladies and Gentlemen barely ventured a few rounds of applause after a winning smash from John McEnroe or a cross-court passing from Bjorn Borg. Today, the tempo has changed. Uninhibited, the public openly displays their emotions, including during discussions. And too bad if the purists, raised in the seraglio of “Quiet please”, have to cover their ears. At the Australian Open, it’s time for chaos. Since this year, the organizers have admittedly allowed spectators to move and return to their seats after each game where, traditionally, they had to wait for the side changes. Many players said they were surprised by this noisy measure which does not make it easier to concentrate. But they finally acquiesced, without saying a word. The world is moving, and so is sport. Even in golf, absolute silence is no longer required on the greens. On the LIV, this new dissident circuit financed by a Saudi sovereign fund, wild music serves as background music during tournaments. This contributes to a fun and festive atmosphere, it seems. Like in a darts competition! And, here too, the swing stars, who collect petrodollars by the shovel, are careful not to claim. That’s part of the deal.

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2024-01-19 17:53:25
#Hull #hubbub #world #changing #sport