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Probably Should Be In Sport But Tennis

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lankeela | 19:44 Sun 03rd Jul 2022 | ChatterBank
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- I have questions. Why do commentators assume we know what it all means? Why don't they explain what is happening and what the different phrases/words mean? What is break? What is a grand slam? What is a calendar grand slam (never heard it mentioned before but they all seem to be saying it this year). Why don't they use artificial grass to keep a constant playing surface? Do they get prize money if they get knocked out in the earlier rounds, otherwise how do they make a living? Why don't they have a caddy to carry their bag? After 40 points what do they get if they win the next point? Why do they get another go if they mess up the first service? Or hit the net? Why don't they have floodlights for when it gets dark? I'll be back if I think of any more.
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Because they’re commentating, not giving a lesson?
Anyone for tennis?
I'm afraid explaining all of a sport's rules and regulations at every match would go down very badly with the viewing public (apart from taking a significant amount of time). I respectfully suggest you visit your local library where you would (hopefully) find an appropriate source for whichever sport you are interested in. Alternatively you could always try Google :-)
all those things are obvious, they don't need to keep going on about them.
They are "obvious" only if you know a wee bit about the game.

I am sure TORATORATORA can answer all the questions without reference to any websites, as they are obvious.

On you go.
//I have questions. Why do commentators assume we know what it all means?// - They assume someone watching a sport knows about the sport.
// What is break?// - when the non server wins a game //What is a grand slam?// - there are 4 grand slam tournaments, Wimbledon, US, Aus and French.
//What is a calendar grand slam (never heard it mentioned before but they all seem to be saying it this year).// - winning all 4 in a calendar year
// Why don't they use artificial grass to keep a constant playing surface?// - Not a valid GS surface
// Do they get prize money if they get knocked out in the earlier rounds, otherwise how do they make a living? // yes they all get something
//Why don't they have a caddy to carry their bag?// - caddies are in golf
// After 40 points what do they get if they win the next point?// - if their opponent does not also have 40 (deuce) then they win the game if duece one or other must win 2 consecutive points.
// Why do they get another go if they mess up the first service? Or hit the net?// - that's the laws of the game, 2 serves.
// Why don't they have floodlights for when it gets dark? I'll be back if I think of any more. // - they do in some tournments.
I started typing the above before the post at 21:19 was present.
You would know the answers to at least half those questions if you'd ever played tennis and half more if not all if you watch tennis regularly. I don't understand the rules of rugby but I don't expect the commentators to teach me them while I'm forced to watch it.
there are laws in Rugby.
Prudie, a few years ago now, there was a rugby test played in the USA - I think it was Ireland v New Zealand and in Boston. As Americans don't play much rugby, they got a commentator who explained all the rules as the game went on, telling viewers exactly why someone had incurred a penalty or why they had to retreat 10 metres.

It was brilliantly done; anyone who'd never watched the game before could have understood it.

I've often thought game with complicated rules could do with a commentator like that (cricket also comes to mind). But British commentators generally assume that their viewers know everything already, which does leave people like lankeela outside the loop.
jno, that worked in the US because they were not familiar with Rugby Union but it would just annoy the viewers in UK if it was about a well known UK sport. Also US commentators on NFL etc don't explain the rules all the time because their audience knows it.
but lankeela doesn't know about the rules, is my point. I suspect a lot of viewers don't - Wimbledon is one of those events that people tune into once a year.
yes I get it, It's unusual for someone to watch a sport if they have no knowledge of it. I guess I take it for granted because I can deduce the basics of any sport pretty quickly and over time you complete your knowledge. I remember watch GAA sports in Dublin when I first started I had little idea but soon picked it up.
One match like that might well be of value but it would be irritating if it was was all the time. NFL is even more of a mystery to me but it can't be that hard to follow. Most Americans manage it.
Also maybe some of us are either from different eras or educational ba kgrounds. I was taught the scoring system and shot names in tennis in games lessons at school.
A useful starting point (courtesy of Aunty Beeb):
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1802022.html

If Lankeela wants to watch sport with no complicating rules, I suggest that she moves to Oz and watchees Australian Rules Football. There appears to be only one rule in that sport ("Thou shalt not kill") but even that's quite flexible ;-)
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Thanks TTT but some of that just begs more questions!

They assume someone watching a sport knows about the sport - but there must be many who only watch Wimbledon and no other tennis throughout the year and some for perhaps the first time ever.


// What is break?// - when the non server wins a game // - that makes sense now its been explained.

What is a grand slam?// - there are 4 grand slam tournaments, Wimbledon, US, Aus and French. - How on earth would anyone know that without being told?

//What is a calendar grand slam (never heard it mentioned before but they all seem to be saying it this year).// - winning all 4 in a calendar year - makes sense but honestly never heard it mentioned before.
// Why don't they use artificial grass to keep a constant playing surface?// - Not a valid GS surface - then make it one!

// Do they get prize money if they get knocked out in the earlier rounds, otherwise how do they make a living? // yes they all get something - how much - would be interesting to know!

//Why don't they have a caddy to carry their bag?// - caddies are in golf - yes but why don't these 'superstars' have someone to carry theirs in tennis?

// After 40 points what do they get if they win the next point?// - if their opponent does not also have 40 (deuce) then they win the game if duece one or other must win 2 consecutive points. - yes I realise but if describing a game how would you refer to the point won after 40 - eg he won the game 50 love.

// Why do they get another go if they mess up the first service? Or hit the net?// - that's the laws of the game, 2 serves. - no wonder it takes so long.

// Why don't they have floodlights for when it gets dark? I'll be back if I think of any more. // - they do in some tournments. - but why not at Wimbledon where it always gets dark before they have finished and would save them shutting the lid.
I can't watch rugby because I don't know what's going on
lankeela: \\What is a grand slam?// - there are 4 grand slam tournaments, Wimbledon, US, Aus and French. - How on earth would anyone know that without being told? \\ - same as any general knowledge I suppose.
\\// Why don't they use artificial grass to keep a constant playing surface?// - Not a valid GS surface - then make it one! \\- why because you think so? You've already made it clear you have very little knowledge of the game, why do you think you can suggest a surface?

prize money, first round losers get £50k
https://www.perfect-tennis.com/prize-money/wimbledon/

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