Monday 2 June 2008

In praise of Jonathan Overend

When driving to work I flick between the Today programme on Radio 4
and Breakfast with Nicky Campbell and (the brilliant) Shelagh Fogarty.

Today is still essential for anyone who works in PR but it's nowhere
near as agenda setting as it likes to think.

For me the best thing about both shows is when they handover to "our
tennis correspondent Jonathan Overend".

His packages are normally no more than 60 - 90 seconds but in that
time he'll give you all you need to know. A great blend of reporting,
analysis, and putting the sport in context for the non-addicts.

I still remember now how he put the criticism of Murray's lack of
fitness 2 or 3 years ago into perspective by simply pointing out that
footballers play 90 minutes once, maybe twice, a week. Where as tennis
players can play 5 or 6 matches in a week.

(which reinforced my belief that Federer is the world's greatest
athlete as well as tennis player, but that's a discussion for another
time.)

Over the years I've had the pleasure to hear Overend's reports from
Melbourne, Indian Wells, Miami, Rome, Monte Carlo. The list goes on.

And whenever I hear him I used to think why doesn't he have his own
tennis show? And for the past year or so I've also wondered why
doesn't he have his own blog?

Well now he does and if was worth the wait. He's been blogging from
Paris and it is a joy to read.

Do check it out at the BBC tennis website, in particular his post on
"the hardest, most amazing shot I've ever seen". Yes, THAT forehand by
Federer against Ancic on Saturday night.

(Note: I'm blogging on the run at the moment. Will post a link for
JE's blog when back online).

UPDATE: You can read it here.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I agree totally in what you are saying. Jonathan Overend is brilliant whenever i listened to his views and reports on the game. I just don't understand why he hasn't been given his own show, he deserves it for the amount of work he does for the BBC.