I think Matt Futterman is a good tennis reporter but I was very surprised he said that. I know I’m old school, but he crossed a line. Keep the reporter-player relationship professional. You’re not the players’ buddies or colleagues. Or you’re not supposed to be. Ben gets a pass because he was defending Coco, who looked a bit hurt by Futterman’s comment. It’s OK to ask a player about what they’re wearing, but to unsolicitedly opine crosses a line, in my opinion, even if it’s a compliment. It’s not your job. Frances Tiafoe can go up to Coco and say he thinks her hat is sick or ridiculous or whatever. But journalists shouldn’t. The relationship is supposed to be different. A little bit of distance is needed and helpful, especially if you ever need to write something about a player that they wouldn’t like.
I think Matt Futterman is a good tennis reporter but I was very surprised he said that. I know I’m old school, but he crossed a line. Keep the reporter-player relationship professional. You’re not the players’ buddies or colleagues. Or you’re not supposed to be. Ben gets a pass because he was defending Coco, who looked a bit hurt by Futterman’s comment. It’s OK to ask a player about what they’re wearing, but to unsolicitedly opine crosses a line, in my opinion, even if it’s a compliment. It’s not your job. Frances Tiafoe can go up to Coco and say he thinks her hat is sick or ridiculous or whatever. But journalists shouldn’t. The relationship is supposed to be different. A little bit of distance is needed and helpful, especially if you ever need to write something about a player that they wouldn’t like.