2015 U.S. OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT
ESPN, 1:00 p.m. ET
At yesterday’s first-round play of U.S. Open tennis, the players weren’t the only ones serving up something new. ESPN commentator Pam Shriver interviewed U.S. player CoCo Vanderweghe about her match. What’s so unusual about that, you ask? The match wasn’t over, that’s what. It’s one thing to toss a fast question or two at a pro football coach as he runs off the field to rally his troops at halftime – but to interview a tennis player between sets? That’s not a new way to engage viewers and fans, or get inside the head of the athletes. That’s an unnecessary and distracting intrusion. Good thing it’s not mandatory, and don’t expect Serena Williams, playing her second match this afternoon, to play along. She’s focused on playing, period – which is just as it should be.