The Big 4...Commentators That Is

Slowly but surely, over the last couple of year, the suite of tennis commentators that I grew up watching tennis with has been either quietly nudged into retirement, replaced by a new generation that give us the play by play and the "expert" commentary. With the induction of Cliff Drysdale into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, it seems he is also on his way out - I dn't recall seeing him do any commentary this year, but I could be wrong.

So, from the list of commentators below, let me know who would make your big 4 and why? Be sure to add names to the list if I've neglected to include someone that deserves consideration:

Robbie Koenig
Jason Goodall
Nick Webster
Mats Wilander
Lindsay Davenport
Martina Navratilova
Mary Joe Fernandez
Patrick McEnroe
Brad Gilbert
Darren Cahill
Pam Shriver
Anabel Croft
Boris Becker
Greg Rusedski
Barry Cowan
Justin Gimelstob
Peter Fleming
Tim Henman
Tracy Austin
Jim Courier
Jimmy Arias
Mark Woodforde
Todd Woodbridge
Luke Jensen
Fred Stolle
Pat Cash
Elise Burgin
Virginia Wade
Leif Shiras
Ashley Harkleroad
Taylor Dent
Renee Stubbs

DAN MASKELL

You've left out Mark Petchey, Andrew Castle. I'll need to think about this though.

Dan Maskell (if you don't mind going further back) was actually before my time, but I heard him when I happened to watched back the Wimbledon classic Borg-Mcenroe final that happened in the year I was born. He immediately stood out as a class act, measured, beautifully understated and perceptive.

The contrast between his comment along the lines "this could be one of the best Wimbledon finals of recent years" and what a modern commentator would have said was stark. A modern commentator probably would have said "greatest match in history".

Excellent thread, MMT1. I was thinking about this very question the other day, but I'm going to have to defer to greater knowledge and experience here. I'm hopeless at picking out the specific commentators.

bill mclaren .... oh sorry wrong sport!

Frew McMilllan to be added please

Henman Bill wrote:DAN MASKELL

Oh I say, that's a dream of a pass.

My preference is Peter Fleming. The right level or knowledge, cynicism, dry humour and lack of hyperbole.

Okay, so I'll go first:

Robbie Koenig
Jason Goodall
Mats Wilander
Justin Gimelstob

Their analysis is the most technical, they throw in one or two pretty good stories per match, and they rarely engage in hyperbole. The only thing I don't like about Gimelstob is that the moment he stops commentating and starts interviewing he turns into the biggest suck-up/cheese ball, and that's hard to respect when he gets back in the booth. But if it weren't for that, I'd say he's pretty good.

I like Goodall, Gimelstob, Johnny Mac, and Brad Gilbert for comedic relief. To me Goodall is the best in the game. Johnny Mac is engaging, Gilbert has knowledge and is a bit of a clown. And gimelstob is a guy who is very dedicated to his craft as a broadcaster.

Chris Bailey. Lord knows Sky Sports misses him.

Good thread. I can only echo previous posts; hyperbole is the sign of a fool. There's a lot of it on commentary these days.

Peter Flemming. ex player, degree in psychology (useful for analysis), articulate, not scared to say what he thinks and funny.

Virginia Wade, ex multi slam winning player, degree in maths (useful for analysis), articulate, not scared to say what she thinks and perceptive.

What more could you want?

Also like Jo Durie, ex player, perceptive, knowlegable and that very rare thing... kind.

Other mentions. Greg Rusedki (inside knowledge of British tennis and nice smile), John McEnroe (for his olden days talk), Jimmy Connors (can read between the lines), Frew McMillen (No nonsense analysis) and my secret "love to hate" Mats Wilander (for his passion)

I turn down the sound when Mark Petchy, Barry Cowen and Leif Sharis get anywhere near a microphone.

Oh god i cannot stand grinning, gormless greg!

Cahill, Koenig, Goodall, McEnroe (Patrick) of the current crop.

Who was that old south african lead commentator for espn? I dont think he gets much of the main stuff, but he had a great voice for it.
This guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS9HaGz0lOU
5.45!

Johnny Mac - talks too much, but always interesting and fascinated with the mental battle. Most entertaining and insightful IMO.

Peter Fleming - calm, measured, occasionally very funny. Reticent to overreact to victory or defeat. Always maintains perspective.

Mark Petchy - I know some don't like him, but I think he's a really good commentator. Quite funny and sharp. Good combo with Fleming.

Jim Courier - funny and analytical. He's got a great personality and like Fleming maintains perspective.

Cant stand listening to - Durie, Wade, Rusedski, Henman (hurts to say that one, but he's wooden)... And I used to like Castle, but there's 'something of the night about him' to steal a famous quote. He's a bit slimy. Sharis is dull as dishwater too.

LuvSports! wrote:Who was that old south african lead commentator for espn? I dont think he gets much of the main stuff, but he had a great voice for it.
This guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS9HaGz0lOU
5.45!

Do you mean Cliff Drysdale? He was, in my opinion, very good when he started, but he didn't really keep up with things technically, and his added value really diminished over the years. I think now is a good time for him to stop, and I think he has, since he made the ITHOF, but I'm not sure.

I will take your word for it.
I just liked his voice, he had a good lead commentator voice, but he didn't give much by way of analysis, that was left to the other commentators.

Frew McMillan - never gets over excited always remains calm, he is knowledge of the game is extremely high and he always has fascinating stories to tell when the match is a bit slow

Jason Goodall- very analytical, doesn't over exaggerate like some do and talks to the audience like they understand tennis. Unlike Andrew Castle who I used to like but now find a tad patronising.

John McEnroe - I like that as champion he can give his perspective of the really big moments and the big occasions, and make the audience understand it even more

Jim Courier- a bit like Jason Goodall, very well spoken and does not get carried away when making proclamations

I wonder how good Hewitt will be. He did AO for Seven, IIRC. (Anyone remember Djokovic looking at the booth about the recovery secrets?).