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.
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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.
ReplyDelete