Anyone who left the television on Channel 7 after the Federer Vs Hewitt will have experienced a breath of fresh air in the form of Henri Leconte’s commentary during the Tsonga Vs Almagro match.
In my opinion, and I’m writing this blog to see who agrees and who disagrees, he was magnificent. His commentary came from the heart, with extreme passion for the game.
He didn’t hide his bias for his fellow country-man Jo-Wilfred, but at the same time, at no point was he disrespectful towards Nicolas Almagro.
At times I couldn’t understand what Henri was saying, but it didn’t matter.
To be honest, I was starting to doze off in front of the television, but the excitement and passion in Henri’s voice, along with some ripping ground strokes from Almagro had me glued to the television.
I hope we look back on this game and herald Henri a hero, a pioneer for changing the rules that seem to govern commentator behavior.
I hope the reigns are loosened on commentators and they can start to show more passion. Some commentators have started doing this already, but not with as much passion.
Andrew Gaze in the b-ball, Warne on the cricket, Healy, Taylor, Slater have all been good, too. Andrew Johns in the rugby league, I think, has far more to offer. Rod Kafer is great in the union and has more to offer.
If this is a new era, who could be facing a redundancy next week?
Fred Stolle comes to mind, Sandy Roberts, Jack Newton, Gordon Bray, Andrew Voss, John Alexander, Bruce McAveney, Tony Greig, Mark Nicholas.
In my mind, these people need to spark it up a bit. Or move on.
Nikki Crawford
Guest
It is the first night of the open 2013 and Jim Courier is back commentating. This is terrific. However, I am seriously hoping that Henri Leconte will not be behind the microphone this year. Yes, it can be an exciting new era, but not with him behind the microphone please! Commentary needs substance and it means so much more to we the fans when the commentators know what they are talking about!
Le What?
Guest
It's one thing to be exciting ... Lord knows tennis needs it. But it is another thing to shout, scream, snore and fart under the premise of being a professional commentator. I loved watching Henri play ... Always jovial, humorous and above all a great tennis player, but he is a right prat behind the microphone! U-n-b-e-l-i-e-v-a-b-l-e ad nauseum! Having this buffoon commentate shows the contempt that Channel 7 has for the game. Get rid of him.
Cait
Guest
Living in America I have tried to see the clip of Henri from the Channel 7 website but the video is blocked so I am not happy. I for one would love to at least hear Henri's biased commentary, so if anyone knows where I can get to hear/see the commentary I would very much appreciate it. Henri was always a cheery character when he was on the tour, it doesn't surprise me in the least that has carried over to his "GUEST" commentary. To those that complained, and I read through the complaints website, get a life. Novak was the one who was taking the mickey out of everyone just a few short years ago, he couldn't hear what Henri was saying during the match so it wasn't affecting his play. Exciting, and biased commentary, is out of the ordinary for tennis but I would be willing to bet that Channel 7 gained quite a few viewers based on word of mouth, web and newspaper comments about Henri. And as we all know TV is all about the viewer numbers.
Chop
Guest
Completely agree Michelle, in Adelaide while playing he was hysterical, but Leconte as a commentator....No thanks, I muted the TV and played music because I couldn't stand it any longer....
Hansie
Guest
I enjoyed Leconte's commentary. It was a refreshing change. He was cheering for his countryman, but objective in his analysis and gracious in acknowledging Djokovic. It's certainly better than hearing the Australian commentary cheer squad while some no name Australian is being flogged in straight sets in the opening round. I wouldn't like to hear Leconte commentate on every match, but he represents a nice change.
michelle
Guest
Henri Leconte is not a commentator - he's a spectator with a microphone. The games he commentates are annoying and not amusing in the slightest. Everyone I have been speaking to agrees that his "commentary" is foolish and unfunny. Last night's match (Tsonga vs Djokovic) seemed more over the top than usual. The expert (and very good ) commentators John Fitzgerald and Jim Courier could barely get a word in edgeways over the "Non, Non, Non JOOOOOO" of Leconte. Tsonga is my favourite player on the circuit, but I was actually hoping he would not go through as I don't think I can handle anymore Leconte. Leconte was a great, and funny, tennis player. He is not a great and funny commentator.
westy
Guest
Leconte was genuinely brilliant . Full of genuine exuberance " No No No " " Attension perhaps it should be attention "and fair to the Spaniard yet never hiding his passion for his fellow countryman. It was not about Leconte just contagious enthusiasm that did not detract but added to a compelling tennis game . Courier is to full of himself verging on arrogance. It is not about him.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Folks are missing out on a much better tournament than last year. I can't quite get my head around the anti-siphoning laws in Australia. Why can't they have select coverage on free-to-air and full coverage on pay television?
sledgeandhammer
Guest
I also like Leconte, why not have fun? Hinds wrote an article today in SMH comparing channel 7 coverage with ESPN coverage in America. Not only do they have more insightful commentary, but they also sound like they have more fun. More importantly they provide updates from outside courts, and even split screen viewing when matches clash. i understand BBC gives viewers the choice of games to choose from. Let's face it channel 7 is terrible, they miss games due to sloppy ad breaks, cut games in half to accommodate mediocre shows and provide little in background on the players. Tonight's Federer match was a case in point - no warm up shown, sets 2 and 3 missed completely. A joke.
MV Dave
Guest
An article in the SMH online on Monday said that the Tennis coverage was 26-29% down on the viewing figures from last year. From the little l have watched no wonder...the ads and the commentary are massive turn offs. Any new style of commentary (without the ads) has to be a good thing.
Chris K
Guest
I always associate Bruce McAveney and Sandy Roberts and Johanna Grigg with mediocre and drab sports coverage. I woudn't miss those three ever. I couldn't care less how much Bruce and Sandy know about their sports I'd rather listen to the opinions of a drunken one eyed sports fan.
BennO
Guest
I really enjoyed Leconte's commentary. I loved his enthusiasm for the match, especially after the measured hushed tones of Jim Courier. Putting them together would be interesting I reckon. Courier is very insightful and add Leconte's flair, it might work well.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Jay I'm glad you mentioned Harshar Bogle. He is the Richie Benaud of Indian commentary...always insightful with some humour thrown in. I listened to the entire 2004 India-Australia series on ABC and one of my favourite bits of commentary was when the statistician "Mr Subramaniam" kept predicting what was going to happen. Does anyone remember it? I think it was the first test...and there was a big 2nd wicket partnership..with a flat pitch..no wickets in sight. And he said a wicket will fall this over. Sure enough it did. Then an over later he said Damien Martyn would get out...and he did. Jim Maxwell screamed "Mr Subramaniam you are a genius!" Brilliant stuff.
Jay
Guest
The commentator was UNBELIEVABLE (not)! seriously, the guy was a goof, and needs to find more words than unbelievable to describe a shot. Granted english is his second language, but Hashar Bogle from India is one of my favourite commentators and one of the most engaging commentators from any sport. Also, his emoitions and screaming was a little unprofessional.
Steve
Guest
Agreed, saw his commentating the doubles last night and it was one of the funniest things i have ever heard good to see someone deliver a humorous commentary and know what they are talking about