(But I really came to the comments to say how endearing I find Tien. Asking Monfils to autograph a ball for him? Despite being a pro, guess he's still a young fan at heart!)
You're right, Ben, definitely a piece for tennis nerds. I saved it, in fact, and just now finally read it. I found my marked up copy of the OOP from Day 5 in my recycling basket and thought it would be fun to follow along while reading your piece...because, obviously. ;) Kinda neat, too, to know how the tournament played out, so references to maybe Gael's last match, Siniakova doubles needing to be protected, and where to put the trio of Italian men LFL (two of whom won that day) was cool to read. Glad that you got that access -- and thank you for sharing it with us. It does restore some faith in the tournament leadership...(some). Cheers!
"The software, supplied by SMT, is also used at the Australian Open and Wimbledon."
Let me guess: Roland Garros uses different software that doesn't allow women's matches to be scheduled at night?
Sarcasm aside, this was a terrific story idea (and story). Several years ago Peter King got access to write an article about how the NFL puts together its schedule for the entire season; this reminded me of that.
(Also, that quote from Monfils was great. And credit the journalist for asking the question that got it out of him.)
Tremendous article! Setting the daily schedule sounds like the best non-playing job in tennis. A dream come true for tennis nerds. Thanks for writing this, Ben.
Fascinating stuff! Reminded me of Michael Lewis' "Moneyball" and the scenes in the draft room. Insightful reporting for us and surely a pinch-me moment for you. Thx & congrats!
Yeah, really good stuff. Thanks for doing. Do you think AI will change how they do this? … One thing I’m a little suspicious about: Do you think they normally put THAT much emphasis on player preferences? Or might they have overstated it a little because of your presence, knowing that players will end up seeing your article? I ask partly because what surprised me most was that the schedulers presumably care about the preferences of Tatiana Maria and Jelena Ostapenko. They really don’t need to.
Those comments on Maria and Ostapenko, specifically, were made by the WTA's rep in the room who really knows how her women tick...tennis is a big sport but it's also small enough that you get to know the individuals who have been in the top tier long enough pretty well if you're behind the scenes with them.
While I am sympathetic about players getting enough rest time between matches, I don’t think where they want to play should influence the tournament organizers at all. Play where they put you, and if you win five matches you’ll be on the main court. Players and their fans complaining about court placement comes off as so whingey and entitled.
Very insightful and a truly inside story from the Open. Congratulations on getting this scoop. I would have loved to see some sort of a compilation of player preferences that are scattered all over your story, Perhaps towards the end or something. That gives us real insights on what players want and perhaps a bit more on why they chose that. I remember Steffi Graf always preferred to have her matches the first up in the order of play. She didn’t quite prefer the blazing sun as the day went along. When playing at the US open, that helped fans from india like me because the india start time for the US open is 8:30 pm. But when she played at the AO, the india start time is 5:30 am. I used to always wake up very early to catcH her AO matches.
Thank you for this really interesting look at scheduling. It reminds me a lot of the work I do, building my high school’s timetable for the next school year. I wish I had 12 screens to do it!
Such a great article; yet again delivering on a topic I had vaguely wondered about and no one covered. Given that the software used to make the schedule is common to 3 of the grand slams, I would be curious to understand how RG does it. Do they use software (one hopes so given the complexity)? Does the software code for women's and men's matches to allow for easy visuals on the balance of sexes on courts? Does the WTA (and ATP) have a say in the schedule there as with the other GS?
Really enjoyed the piece.
(But I really came to the comments to say how endearing I find Tien. Asking Monfils to autograph a ball for him? Despite being a pro, guess he's still a young fan at heart!)
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
You're right, Ben, definitely a piece for tennis nerds. I saved it, in fact, and just now finally read it. I found my marked up copy of the OOP from Day 5 in my recycling basket and thought it would be fun to follow along while reading your piece...because, obviously. ;) Kinda neat, too, to know how the tournament played out, so references to maybe Gael's last match, Siniakova doubles needing to be protected, and where to put the trio of Italian men LFL (two of whom won that day) was cool to read. Glad that you got that access -- and thank you for sharing it with us. It does restore some faith in the tournament leadership...(some). Cheers!
"The software, supplied by SMT, is also used at the Australian Open and Wimbledon."
Let me guess: Roland Garros uses different software that doesn't allow women's matches to be scheduled at night?
Sarcasm aside, this was a terrific story idea (and story). Several years ago Peter King got access to write an article about how the NFL puts together its schedule for the entire season; this reminded me of that.
(Also, that quote from Monfils was great. And credit the journalist for asking the question that got it out of him.)
Sounds like one of those things people think AI could do but AI can't do because there are so many fluid human variables to consider.
Tremendous article! Setting the daily schedule sounds like the best non-playing job in tennis. A dream come true for tennis nerds. Thanks for writing this, Ben.
Great article. What a scoop!
Fascinating stuff! Reminded me of Michael Lewis' "Moneyball" and the scenes in the draft room. Insightful reporting for us and surely a pinch-me moment for you. Thx & congrats!
Yeah, really good stuff. Thanks for doing. Do you think AI will change how they do this? … One thing I’m a little suspicious about: Do you think they normally put THAT much emphasis on player preferences? Or might they have overstated it a little because of your presence, knowing that players will end up seeing your article? I ask partly because what surprised me most was that the schedulers presumably care about the preferences of Tatiana Maria and Jelena Ostapenko. They really don’t need to.
Those comments on Maria and Ostapenko, specifically, were made by the WTA's rep in the room who really knows how her women tick...tennis is a big sport but it's also small enough that you get to know the individuals who have been in the top tier long enough pretty well if you're behind the scenes with them.
Got it. Thanks for the response.
While I am sympathetic about players getting enough rest time between matches, I don’t think where they want to play should influence the tournament organizers at all. Play where they put you, and if you win five matches you’ll be on the main court. Players and their fans complaining about court placement comes off as so whingey and entitled.
Brilliant stuff Ben - there's no reporting like this, fantastic insights - thank you!
Very insightful and a truly inside story from the Open. Congratulations on getting this scoop. I would have loved to see some sort of a compilation of player preferences that are scattered all over your story, Perhaps towards the end or something. That gives us real insights on what players want and perhaps a bit more on why they chose that. I remember Steffi Graf always preferred to have her matches the first up in the order of play. She didn’t quite prefer the blazing sun as the day went along. When playing at the US open, that helped fans from india like me because the india start time for the US open is 8:30 pm. But when she played at the AO, the india start time is 5:30 am. I used to always wake up very early to catcH her AO matches.
Thank you for this really interesting look at scheduling. It reminds me a lot of the work I do, building my high school’s timetable for the next school year. I wish I had 12 screens to do it!
Such a great article; yet again delivering on a topic I had vaguely wondered about and no one covered. Given that the software used to make the schedule is common to 3 of the grand slams, I would be curious to understand how RG does it. Do they use software (one hopes so given the complexity)? Does the software code for women's and men's matches to allow for easy visuals on the balance of sexes on courts? Does the WTA (and ATP) have a say in the schedule there as with the other GS?
Very cool article Ben! It’s about time fans got meaningful insight into the mysterious allocation of match courts and times. Excellent reporting.
Would love to see an article on this process for each of the Slams at some point!
Superb as always, Ben! Thank you! Adam
I love this. Nerding out is fun.