With the coronavirus pandemic lingering a bit longer than many thought, industries are having to make significant changes to keep people safe and healthy while work continues. This is also true for professional sports. Even without a live audience cheering them on, athletic organizations are figuring out the best ways to keep the game going. One option is the ‘bubble.’
Isolated communities, like the one the NBA created at Walt Disney World, sequester players, coaches, and everyone associated with a particular sporting event. They’re subjected to regular COVID-19 tests and general health is closely monitored. Those in these controlled environments experience a restricted, campuslike space. Organizations like the National Women’s Soccer League and Major League Soccer have had success with tournament bubbles, with the latter maintaining theirs for an entire month. While it may not be the ultimate solution to keep professional sports going, it’s showing signs, if done right, of being an excellent option for now.
Taking place August 22-28 in New York, the Western & Southern Open is doing things a lot differently this year. First of all, the location changed. The oldest professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin, the Western & Southern Open has always been in Cincinnati. Responding to the pandemic and the need to keep everyone safe, this is the first year the tournament will take place in another state, all to create an effective bubble.
“Competing at a single venue with very limited and controlled access has been determined to be the safest scenario for tennis tours to resume combined tournament play,” according to the WSOpen.com. In order to create and contain their event, they shifted the event to NYC. This allows them the ability to safely contain hundreds of competitors and staff in an area where centralized testing and proper medical services are close at hand. Finding the right venue to build their community ensured this much-loved tournament wouldn’t miss a year of operation.
Kicking off at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, the Western & Southern Open’s controlled environment will mirror those already seen in other sports. Contained attendees, regular testing, no fans, and thorough media coverage from a safe distance. In fact, the role the media will play this year is especially important for the tournament since a major draw for fans was the ability to get up-close to nationally-ranked tennis players. Since this can’t happen in person this year, in-depth coverage from media vendors will help bridge the gap and let fans see into the bubble.
A key component of this tournament, beside fan access, is its ability to bring together amateur players with seasoned professionals. Those who haven’t made as big of a name for themselves get an opportunity to improve their standings and hit against some of the best. Capturing this interaction is what fans love to see too, as they get to know new players and those with a lot of potential.
With ten wild card slots merging with former champion players, each match will hold its own share of exciting moments for fans to watch, even if it’s from the comfort of their own homes.
With all the crowds forced to watch from home, athletic associations are thinking outside the box to bring fans closer to the action going on inside the event. Actual gameplay is covered in relatively the same way, but viewers want more to replace what they aren’t getting in person. Innovative media companies are being called upon to change how they capture all the extras.
During the Western and Southern Open, Greyline Media gets to step behind the barrier with the opportunity to showcase tennis and its star athletes. By pulling together what’s happening court-side in addition to conducting player interviews and capturing behind-the-scenes activity, they’ll help create a more complete picture of the experience. Diehard fans, sad they can’t attend, will be given direct insight into the tournament without needing a physical presence. The game is staying the same, but our ability to pass it through the screen to home viewers is changing for the better.
Putting eyes inside the bubble keeps all the athletes and their teams safe without sacrificing the access fans and supporters get into the event. Tennis goes on, just as strong, relying a little more heavily on the assistance of video production companies like Greyline who understand the sport, the people, and the needs of the audience.
With a particular focus on providing that extra look into the Western & Southern Open, Greyline Media takes its job inside today’s tennis events seriously. They strive to not only enhance the experience fans have during the broadcast, but capture compelling, behind-the-scenes footage that lets players’ personalities shine. As stands remain empty, we’re here, working inside the bubble, to give you all the feels that come from live tennis.
To learn more about how Greyline Media can give your audience a little something extra to experience during a broadcast, contact us today.
For more information visit GreylineMedia.com or email Lesley@greylinemedia.com