When the ATP and ESPN2 worked out their plans for the U.S. Open Series, the tour stop in Washington became huge.
Players now need to be here to gain points and the days are gone when stars would show up, play a few games and leave after picking up a nice appearance check long before the end of the tournament.
ESPN2 and Cliff Drysdale (in my mind the best voice in tennis broadcasting) are in town and he is very excited about the field and about the chances of Andy Roddick.
Drysdale on Washington: “This is a great venue, a wonderful tennis town and I think that the addition of the U.S. Open Series to the pedigree of this tournament has made it a wonderful tune up for anyone who is a real contender for the U.S. Open.”
Drysdale on Roddick: “Andy is playing some of the best tennis of his career. He should do well this week and it seems like Washington agrees with him. At this point his biggest problem is, while he is ranked 4th in the ATP computer and should win here in Washington, the majors are tough because he [has to go through] two of the best to ever play the game. Rafael Nadal one of the greatest players on clay in history and the best of them all is Roger Federer.”
Drysdale on Federer: “I am not one to give out praise easy but in my mind, Roger Federer is the best player to ever pick up a racket. I have seen all the big names in tennis from, Rod Laver to Bjorn Borg, and Roger is the best because he is the most complete player I have ever seen.”
ESPN2 coverage of the Legg Mason can be seen Friday night at 7, Saturday night at 9 and the finals Sunday at 3 p.m. Drysdale and Patrick McEnroe will handle the broadcast chores.
Are you ready for some football?
» Saturday at noon, MASN will air the Redskins-Ravens scrimmage from Baltimore. You can hear the action on Triple X ESPN radio (94.3/92.7/99.9 FM/730 AM).
» The NFL Hall of Fame induction will be on both ESPN and the NFL Network at 6 p.m., Saturday, and the game between the Steelers and the Saints will air in prime time at 8 p.m., Sunday on the NFL Network
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on www.examiner.com.
