Tennis authorities around the world "are monitoring the success of the Fast4 format that premiered in Sydney in prime-time" last Tuesday with an exhibition between Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt, according to Courtney Walsh of THE AUSTRALIAN. Mindful of the "success cricket has enjoyed in reaching new audiences" with Twenty20 cricket, particularly in local markets in terms of attendance and TV reach, Tennis Australia "is exploring the shortened format." Tennis Australia President Steve Healy said that the exhibition is "an ideal way to expose the idea to a broader audience." He said, "One thing that we are really excited about is the Fast4s, to see the reaction from the crowd and the TV and media and see what the reaction will be. We need to have a look at those markets. It is a competitive sporting world out there and you have to compete." Tennis Australia has received enquiries from several national bodies around the world seeking information on the concept, which Australian Open Tournament Dir Craig Tiley described as a "game changer (that) is set to revolutionize the game of tennis, particularly at club and social levels" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/13).
