Many leaders in tennis are fully aware how it must adapt and thrive in an ever-competitive sports market.
Seeing other sports show a more human side to their athletes – with Formula 1 documentary Drive To Survive regularly heralded as the gold standard – has forced tennis to think more creatively.
Netflix’s documentary series Break Point did not engage fans in the same way, but providing behind-the-scenes content at tournaments feels like an easy win to deepen connections with fans.
When the Australian Open became the first major to bring cameras into player areas in 2019, Djokovic described it as ‘Big Brother’.
The reality television show has continued to grow – potentially, now, to tipping point.
It might be scaled back, given the frustrations of the players, but it will not disappear. Tennis needs the eyeballs.
The US Open has followed suit in recent years – unsurprising given the access-all-areas demands of the American audience across the NBA, MLB and NFL.
Providing fans with deep insight of locker room culture, and what it really takes to be among the world’s best, is more crucial than ever.
Wimbledon and the French Open, known for upholding more traditional values, have so far resisted. But for how long?
