Tennis grand slams have been trying to spice things up to get more rears in the seats the week before the tourney starts.
Last year the US Open changed how the mixed doubles tournament was set up by pairing up the top men's and women's singles players. This drew huge numbers. The eventual winners, an actual specialist mixed doubles team not made up of the top ranked pairings, won the title for the second year in a row. That format will likely continue this year. But what really drove the US Open to try and switch it up?
The Australian Open. Last year they had a one shot tournament. Basically two players rock, paper, scissored for serve and they play one point. Winner goes on, loser is out. Amateurs and Pros are in the draw. Last year the prize was about $40K USD. This year they bumped it up to $1 Million USD.
Amateurs qualify via state/Regional tournaments. So you have a total of 64 people (pros and amateurs) playing one point matches for $1 million dollars. Not much pressure.
The video is a little long but shows the progression of one contestant through to the end. The title spoils the fairy tale ending but he does beat the No. 2 player in the world along the way.
I'm sure Dave is now looking for one point pickle ball tournaments or will try to start it up at OBFT.
It’s a fun concept. Pretty sure some of the top pros were tanking, but that does not overshadow what this guy did not that stage. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteSinner totally tanked against the guy.
ReplyDeletelarge college gameday cheer semis happened about an hour ago. we'll find out in ten minutes if that's the last time i'll ever see my kid cheer. she was happy with her effort and had fun on the mat, but she's not optimistic about the buffs' chances of moving on.
ReplyDeleteWell.....we're waiting.
ReplyDeleteh/t Judge Smales
whyyyyy are we waiting? we could be masturbaaaating.
ReplyDeletegood clean fun, those rugby songs.
ReplyDeleteA squad with the right amount of pep could probably really work up a crowd with those ditties.
ReplyDeletethe buffs fell short, and with that, my kid's collegiate cheer career is over, at least from a competition perspective. she still has men's and women's hoops games. proud of that little pistol.
ReplyDeletewho's bringing the joy tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteone point? fuck that, i want to drub people.
ReplyDeletealso, enjoying "america fantastica," feels like a pynchon/portis hybrid book-- good rec obx dave!
Glad you enjoy, Professor. BTW, don't know how much Portis you've read, but give "Masters of Atlantis" a go if you haven't already (and anyone else in the audience). Five pages in it's apparent you're in for literary absurdity.
ReplyDeleteRob! Nice rugby song usage! And Rootsy, here's to working up a crowd with those titties.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your kid, Rob, for her cheer career! My nephew and his gf are in the cheer competition. Small coed division I groups, and they’re still competing. Pretty exciting stuff! I’m amazed at the stunts they do. As for some personal joy, I’ve just completed 3 weeks off between jobs, and the church I left was extremely generous in their thanks to me. And I began the new role this week, and while I’m driving even further (Va Beach), it’s looking like a good role. 3 weeks off was lovely. I’ll try sharing joy since I’ve had such a nice time!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter turns 14 on Friday. In the following of her mother’s footsteps we are celebrating A LOT. The huge sleepover I mentioned last weekend, tonight we’re doing a smaller dinner at Chili’s of all places (I haven’t been to a Chilis in over a decade) because her and her two best friends saw something about the Triple Dipper online and now must have it. And then a family dinner next week on her actual birthday.
ReplyDeleteFun day on the hardwood so far in the SEC. Kentucky with a huge comeback in Knoxville to beat Tennessee. Florida with a third straight win against a ranked team at the very difficult home court that is Memorial Coliseum at Vanderbilt.
ReplyDeleteBig day around here.
ReplyDeletemet a family in line for ratatouille in epcot last. grandpa played on the same single a team as tim wakefield and told a great story about being there when wake transitioned from a weak-hitting first baseman into a knuckleballer. that was cool.
ReplyDeleteconversation became less cool when he started talking about how he wished curt schilling would run for political office.
Welcome to Florida, Rob.
ReplyDeletelove "masters of atlantis' and the gnomon society. i recently reread "gringos" and "dog of the south" is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteholy fucking incongruity, professor!
ReplyDelete