WTA Tour returns

Tennis
Outside Broadcast
USA

WTA Tennis finally made a return with The Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky, the first WTA event in the USA since the COVID-19 lockdown, which saw a stop to all live sporting events in mid-March. The Tennis Channel and Gravity Media were on hand to bring the live action to audiences’ homes across the globe.

Action included the match of the tournament where Venus Williams faced off against her younger sister Serena. Center Court action was covered by Gravity Media’s mobile unit Polaris with a Simplylive Vi Box platform. You can download the Polaris truck brochure here.

Tennis Channel, on behalf of WTA Media, produced the world feed for the WTA event in Lexington, as well as delivered its own customised telecast to viewers in the US. To ensure the health and safety of all involved, the network has a smaller onsite crew and footprint than usual, deploying 22 people (which would typically be 50-60) and Gravity Media’s Polaris midsize mobile unit rather than a 53-footer. Read the full SVG article here.

Next week, the ATP Tour returns for the Western and Southern Open which is usually held in Cincinnati but this year will take place in Flushing Meadows in advance of the US Open, which will take place at the same venue a week later. With health and safety taking precedence at the Open this year, the host broadcaster ESPN will only be permitted onsite. Alongside the help of the Gravity Media Production team, they have successfully pulled together a broadcast crew of 120 members and all associated technical and logistical preparation for the ATP 1000 Western and Southern Open in just seven weeks.

To find out how Gravity Media can help you with your next production, please email enquiries@gravitymedia.com