[jenglisbe]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[azza]

Oh.

[Ballbuster]

yes but a lot of people go to church on sunday morning.

[Clara Bow]

Hey- best since 2000. That's a start!

[Deboogle!.]

not bad considering it was July 4 and so many people go out/go away/have BBQs/etc

But this data doesn't help the cause of those who refuse to believe that more Americans watch when American players play

[Clara Bow]

But this data doesn't help the cause of those who refuse to believe that more Americans watch when American players play

Regardless of that, I'm just glad that more people tuned in, saw a great match, and will maybe come back to watch more matches in the future.

[vene]

I think it was more of the Fed-Roddick final hype. After all, not a lot of people tuned in when Andy won the USO last year in the States- in fact the ratings dropped by half, and was the lowest in years. But the FO ratings this year also went up significantly, even though 2 foreigners were playing. I think it just means more people tune in to watch an interesting match.
A presumed blowout by any player, non-American or American, would get low ratings.

[J. Corwin]

Well the ratings dropped last year at the USO because the previous year had Sampras AND Agassi.

[vene]

Yes, but it was the lowest in years, not just compared to the year before.......

[Marc Rosset is Tall]

Boohoo.

[Gonzo Hates Me!]

But how can people intend to tune into a more interesting match when they don't know yet how the match will turn out? People didnt know going into the French final that Coria and Gaudio would make it entertaining. I thought Coria was well on his way to winning in three easy sets by the end of Set 1.

Are you saying that when a final produces a match-up that wasnt so predicted, more people will tune in out of curiousity?

Originally Posted by vene

But the FO ratings this year also went up significantly, even though 2 foreigners were playing. I think it just means more people tune in to watch an interesting match.
A presumed blowout by any player, non-American or American, would get low ratings.

[Raquel]

In the UK the ratings were higher than last year and higher than the women's.

[ktwtennis]

I think this is a step in the right direction, especially when you consider the holiday and church-day as others have stated, as well as the rain delays that can sometimes turn viewers away. If Roddick and Federer can keep an interesting rivalry, and other rivalries develop, then we will have a very healthy game!

[J. Corwin]

Originally Posted by vene

Yes, but it was the lowest in years, not just compared to the year before.......

Well even for the years before, there were always one big name American in the finals....namely Agassi or Sampras. Those two are legends.

[Hingie]

Roddick is a draw in the U.S, but not as big as some would have hoped. However, I definitely think that if he is the key to raising tennis' popularity IN THE STATES. If he can develop a rivalry with Federer, then I will be willing to bet big big bucks that ratings will continue to rise each time they play. If he and Federer plays maybe 4-5 times a year, and have close great matches, then people will be extremely intrigued by that. They can't play too much though, just enough to keep the interest level high. This is definitely exciting news for men's tennis if the world's top two tennis players can make a name for themselves like Agassi and Sampras did. Hopefully with these two guys in front, and guys like Juan Carlos and Marat Safin regaining their form and if guys like Coria, Ancic, Moya can begin to challenge the top two, then I have to say, tennis is in great shape. I'm really excited about the rest of this year, and hopefully next year too. Can you guys tell? lol.