Tennis Commentator Knows When To Raise A Racket Television
Illawarra Mercury
Friday June 23, 2000
THE next best thing to playing on centre court is having the best seat in the house.
At Wimbledon, Australia's former tennis champion Liz Smylie has that honour all wrapped up.
Smylie, who once ranked in the Top 20 in women's singles and won more than 40 doubles titles, has swapped the sweat of play for the challenge of the commentary chair.
She may not have to face baseline drives or tricky drop shots but talking viewers through a professional game has pitfalls all of its own.
``The difficulty is in trying to find a balance and please everyone because some people, who know a lot about the game, don't want much commentary at all while others like to learn about the technical aspects of why something is done," she said.
``They want to know why someone serves like they do or what players can do to try and turn a game around.
``We have to try and make the commentary interesting and I believe it's best when you have nothing interesting to say, to say nothing at all.
``People accept that and if they're staying up late to watch the action then they generally don't need to be guided through the games step by step."
Smylie, who counts the 1983 and 1990 US Open mixed doubles and 1991 Wimbledon mixed doubles crowns among her 40 team titles, retired from premier competition in 1996 but remains actively involved in the sport.
As well as commenting on tennis for both the Seven and Nine networks, Smylie is a Federation Cup selector, acts as tournament director for a Gold Coast event and still plays in the Legends tournaments around the world.
While Smylie sometimes misses the thrill of being on the court, she's adapted well to life in the prime viewing seat and said Wimbledon was her favourite venue.
She's also impressed with the level of competition expected at this year's event, believing many of the top-level players in both the men's and women's sectors have a lot to prove.
Of the Australians, she lists big-serving Alicia Molik and Jelena Dokic, now returning to form, as possible upset chances in the early rounds of the women's competition.
For the men she lists Lleyton Hewitt as the in-form player but believes it will take a little longer before he snares a major title. The Woodies - Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge - have a strong chance at the doubles titles following their recent win in the French Open, she said.
All will be revealed next week when Wide World of Sports presents Wimbledon - The Championship live on WIN Television.
Coverage begins on Monday, June 26 and runs until Sunday, July 9 with the live action starting about 10.30 each weeknight.
Highlights will be run each weekday morning from 10.30 and on weekends from lunchtime.
For full details, check television guides.
- DENISE EVERTON
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury