Jim Courier Gets Excited Commentating & Watching Top Players Chase History
Tennis – Former World No. 1 says he loves commentating about tennis as it gives him a chance to watch the top players play tennis and chase history. In an interview to The Sydney Morning Herald, Courier says, Its a thrill to be at the big tournaments for me.
Thats what really gets me excited from a commentary standpoint, from a fan standpoint, just watching the best players in the world chase history. So to get a chance to be a part of Nines team as we embark on this new journey together, building something special together, at a really special event for me personally.
Courier will be part of Channel Nines coverage of the Australian Open along with two other former greats – John McEnroe and Lleyton Hewitt. I dont think the three of us will be working together in the same space.
It will be variable. I know John also works for an American broadcaster during the tournament, so he wont always be available for Channel Nine, but hell be very visible. Hell do plenty. I just played him twice about two weeks ago.
Hes a great competitor and still treats everything like its the 1980 Wimbledon final. Couriers humour and candor with the top stars have made him one of the favourites with the fans and the players. Theres a couple of things.
First of all, the players have just won a match and typically its on Rod Laver Arena, so the players are in a really good mood. So you start from that and thats a huge advantage. Then you factor in that Ive played and that Im not a journalist Im a former player and Ive been sent out there and Im not going out there to ambush them although sometimes I might ask them questions that might make them a little off-kilter, but I hope its coming across in a good way.
