Former women’s tennis legend Billie Jean King gave her ideas for growing tennis and attracting a younger audience. The 81-year-old American recommends in particular wearing jerseys with the names and numbers of the players or reviewing the points counting system.
Billie Jean King, 129 titles under her belt including 39 Grand Slams, singles and doubles combined, has ideas for further developing tennis and attracting a younger audience. Asked about the subject on the sidelines of the Billie Jean King Cup which started this week in Malaga, she mentioned for example the wearing of jerseys with numbers and the names of the players, on the model of team sports.
She would also like the points counting system to be easier to understand. “I want to make it easy for the fans,” she explained. “I think we could do 1-2-3-4 and not 15-15, 30-30. Because for a child, what does that mean? If we want 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 year olds invested in our sport, we have to make it accessible for them, not for 60 year old fans.”
“Don’t tell me you find the season too long”
The now 81-year-old American also pointed the finger at players who complain about the repetition of matches. “They’ve always had seasons like that,” she says of the WTA circuit players. But then they have a month off and they’re going to play exhibitions. I say to myself: ‘really? You said you needed some rest.’ “
“Don’t tell me you find the season too long,” she concluded.
“I know if there’s enough money, you’ll play. That’s not an argument I can hear from players.” Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and the others will appreciate it.
Morocco
