Historic week in Washington: doubles players will wear microphones during their matches | ATP Tour

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Historic week in Washington: doubles players will wear microphones during their matches

Everything can be heard during television broadcasts

July 29, 2024

History will be made this week at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington. As part of an ATP trial, players will for the first time wear microphones during doubles matches at the ATP 500 event.

This innovation, part of the 2024 ATP Doubles Event, aims to enhance the fan and broadcast experience, while amplifying player profiles. This will take place in selected doubles matches throughout the week.

Ever wonder what a doubles team is discussing before a critical deuce point, or what they’re joking about during a change of ends?

Fans will now be closer to the action thanks to microphones.

Fans will be able to hear these moments live during broadcasts and on ATP digital channels throughout the tournament.

You can listen to NBA players chatting in groups, Formula 1 drivers talking to their race engineers, and MLB players sharing their thoughts mid-game. Now you can also listen to tennis players live during the action.

ATP Sporting Director Ross Hutchins said: “The continuation of the 2024 ATP Doubles Event with the introduction of microphones worn by players during competition is a transformative opportunity for players, fans and the sport. This will provide fans with a never-before-seen live view of the tactics being used by players during critical points in a match, whilst also offering interesting glimpses into the lighter, more humorous moments of the action. Thank you to Mark Ein and the Mubadala Citi DC Open for their vision and collaboration on this project. We look forward to an impactful week in Washington.”

Mubadala Citi DC Open President Mark Ein said: “I have wanted to bring live microphones to tennis for many years after seeing the powerful impact it has had on other sports such as the NBA and NFL, who collaborated with us on this pilot project. We are thrilled that the Mubadala Citi DC Open will be the first event on the tour to use it and we know it will bring fans right on the court, allowing them to hear the most unique insights into the game. This will be an important innovation that will greatly benefit doubles and the sport in general.”

The following changes will also be tested during the Washington doubles event:

• There will be a maximum of 21 seconds between each point.
• There will be 60 second side changes, but the judge will call “time” at 40 seconds.
• Each team may request a 10-second time extension on their serve once per set, including tie-breaks.
• Free movement of the crowd will be allowed on the sides of the court.
• Eight teams will be seeded (instead of four) to help create singles versus doubles matches in the first round.
• Where possible, there will be a court exclusively for doubles.

The 2024 ATP doubles event began at the Mutua Madrid Open. Other events have been held at Queen’s Club, Hamburg, Gstaad, Newport and Kitzbühel.