Tennis Hopes Buzz From Wimbledon Finals Helps Propel Sport

USTA Hoping Buzz From Wimbledon Finals Will Carry Over To U.S. Open

WILL THE BUZZ CONTINUE? Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said of the Nadal-Federer final, “In the big picture, it brings back men’s tennis to the forefront” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 7/7). In DC, Michael Wilbon writes of the Nadal-Federer final, "Tennis, even if briefly, became the headliner again." However, he adds, "I fear it's going to take so much more [to keep it there]. After all, Nadal and Federer engaged in a great five-set final at Wimbledon last year and it's not like there was a great rush back to the game. Maybe if the Federer-Nadal rivalry continues on, say, through the U.S. Open in September and beyond, more people will come to the tent to watch. But even then it's probably a leap of faith to bet on it" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/8). In Detroit, Angelique Chengelis writes of the buzz around Nadal-Federer, "My guess is that this is a flash of interest. Some fans might stick, but most won't" (DETROIT NEWS, 7/8). In Pennsylvania, Keith Groller writes, "While Federer and Nadal are superb players, they're still probably too nice, too bland, to serve as a launching pad for their sport. Even the Williams sisters can't seem to elevate the sport to its 1970s heights here in the United States" (Allentown MORNING CALL, 7/8). In L.A., Steve Dilbeck: "Anyone who truly believes [Nadal[Federer] harkens the beginning of a new golden age for tennis needs to lay off the sauce" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/8).

TOO MUCH AMERICAN PRIDE: In Orlando, Iliana Limon writes, "What impact will [Nadal-Federer] have on the sport? ... Will Americans recognize this is the slow period in our crazy sports calendar and pull for an explosive Federer-Nadal rematch at the U.S. Open in September?" It "doesn't help that Federer and Nadal hail from Switzerland and Spain, two countries a little too distant to inspire your average American sports fan" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/8). Wilbon added, “We are so tied up in American stars that we can’t appreciate international stars as much as we should.” Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan: "We are horribly xenophobic" ("PTI," ESPN, 7/8).

Many Feel Nadal-Federer Wimbledon Final  Should Help Ticket Sales At Other Tournaments

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