Jason Goodall - my favorite. The ultimate professional. Keeps quiet during points and is very classy with humorous quips every now and then that seem out of left field making them all the better. He doesn't just commentate - he shares his articulate analysis with the audience much like a sports writer does.
Robby Koenig - really good, especially when teamed with Jason Goodall. Shares many of Jason's good qualities and has an great South African accent that keeps you entertained even after the 5000th time he says 'inch perfect!'
Darren Cahill - Very classy professional. On top of that, he has so much tennis knowledge in his head I'm amazed how well he is at filtering what comes out of his mouth, much unlike someone else who I won't mention (but his name rhymes with Chad Filbert). Cahill has coached many excellent players and is someone you can trust.
Doug Adler - often works with the two guys above for the ATP world feed. A bit brash, he can get carried away and berate players for hours if he is left unattended (his solo work on today's match of Tsonga vs Benneteau). We may one day see him dash down to the court on the change of ends to yell at Andy Roddick.
John McEnroe - this guy is such an established character that he's really beyond judgement, especially from a tennis nerd like me. He may get off track and talk between points, but he brings a nice laid back presence to the booth and can make you laugh.
Patrick McEnroe - he's a solid commentator with lots of knowledge of the players and the game. Just keep him away from Drysdale. These two sound like a bitter married couple whenever they are in the booth together.
Jimmy Arias - He has a tendency to be a bit hard on the players but is great at speaking his mind. Being a great analyst and strategist adds weight to his words.
Leif Shiras - This man is a great anchor. He can pull of the duties of someone like Ted Robinson but has the tennis knowledge and discretion that make him 100% respectable. Probably underpaid and definitely under-appreciated.
Brad Gilbert - Good in the sense that he is never short on things to say. Bad in the sense that he is, well, never short on things to say. Sometimes he's hilarious and other times he makes you want to watch on mute. Excellent in small doses.
Chris Fowler - no one is perfect, and I am willing to overlook all of this guy's faults because of how much he seems to try. This guy has been working for ESPN outside of tennis for a long time. He is able to focus on his job and genuinely seems to like tennis. Kudos to one of the hardest working guys in sports casting.
Justin Gimelstob - enrages me every time I hear him. He's an established chauvinist and has a hard time hiding it even on tv. He probably works for cheap, which is why the tennis channel chose not to permanently can him after those Kournikova remarks last year.
Barry McKay - I have to respect him because of his age, accomplishments, and overall nice guy persona. But my god man - the linesmen aren't shouting at the top of their lungs for no reason. Barry's constant remarks like 'thats a fault,' 'just long,' and 'wide' must stop. How is it that none of his bosses have called him on this?
Ted Robinson - an absolute tool. Not sure if he actually has a personality or any opinions of his own. He is pretty good at being a liaison for non tennis fans. Unfortunately he has no clue what he's talking about 50% of the time.
Doug Adler - often works with the two guys above for the ATP world feed. A bit brash, he can get carried away and berate players for hours if he is left unattended (his solo work on today's match of Tsonga vs Benneteau). We may one day see him dash down to the court on the change of ends to yell at Andy Roddick.
John McEnroe - this guy is such an established character that he's really beyond judgement, especially from a tennis nerd like me. He may get off track and talk between points, but he brings a nice laid back presence to the booth and can make you laugh.
Patrick McEnroe - he's a solid commentator with lots of knowledge of the players and the game. Just keep him away from Drysdale. These two sound like a bitter married couple whenever they are in the booth together.
Jimmy Arias - He has a tendency to be a bit hard on the players but is great at speaking his mind. Being a great analyst and strategist adds weight to his words.
Leif Shiras - This man is a great anchor. He can pull of the duties of someone like Ted Robinson but has the tennis knowledge and discretion that make him 100% respectable. Probably underpaid and definitely under-appreciated.
Brad Gilbert - Good in the sense that he is never short on things to say. Bad in the sense that he is, well, never short on things to say. Sometimes he's hilarious and other times he makes you want to watch on mute. Excellent in small doses.
Chris Fowler - no one is perfect, and I am willing to overlook all of this guy's faults because of how much he seems to try. This guy has been working for ESPN outside of tennis for a long time. He is able to focus on his job and genuinely seems to like tennis. Kudos to one of the hardest working guys in sports casting.
Justin Gimelstob - enrages me every time I hear him. He's an established chauvinist and has a hard time hiding it even on tv. He probably works for cheap, which is why the tennis channel chose not to permanently can him after those Kournikova remarks last year.
Barry McKay - I have to respect him because of his age, accomplishments, and overall nice guy persona. But my god man - the linesmen aren't shouting at the top of their lungs for no reason. Barry's constant remarks like 'thats a fault,' 'just long,' and 'wide' must stop. How is it that none of his bosses have called him on this?
Ted Robinson - an absolute tool. Not sure if he actually has a personality or any opinions of his own. He is pretty good at being a liaison for non tennis fans. Unfortunately he has no clue what he's talking about 50% of the time.
Boris Becker is very good too when he commenitates for the BBC at wimbledon and quite funny with it. Mark Petchy (Murray's ex coach)is an excellent commentitator giving his honest opinions with humour and respect for the players. As for John Lloyd, Barry Cowan and Sam Smith descibing them as absolute tools would be too good for them they criticise players who have acheived more than all 3 of them put together, who are too quick to write players off and quite often make good match's seem boring.
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