Viewers Criticize Channel Nine's Fast4 Coverage, Calling It 'Elementary'

The concept "was good, but the coverage poor," according to Tom Decent of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. That is "the verdict from tennis fans who have served up plenty of criticism for Channel Nine's coverage on Monday night of the Fast4 match between Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt in Sydney." The "revolutionary faster format of tennis sat well with viewers, Nine's coverage did not." Nine was "handed an open court with Channel Ten's booming Big Bash coverage halted as a result of rain at the Adelaide Oval." It "provided the ratings saviour Channel Nine had been praying for, but within minutes a plethora of viewers vented their frustration on social media, believing the coverage was elementary." For seven points "there was no scoreboard." There "were also extended periods of silence from commentators Darren Cahill and Paul Annacone" (SMH, 1/13).

Hey.. It'd be nice to get an explanation on the rules.. Or anything? Are the commentators awake? #fast4tennis #Fast4

— Ben Harlum (@benharlum) January 12, 2015

Have the commentators gone home? #Fast4

— Nik (@norvis23) January 12, 2015

Never really liked tennis but this #fast4 crap along with the ch9 coverage is enough to send me to an early grave. Back to #AsianCup2015

— Peter Angel (@peter_angel_81) January 12, 2015