Rory McIlroy sunk a 25 foot putt to go up by two strokes today in the Ryder Cup and then he roared COME ON!!!! with so much emotional adrenaline the TV announcer commented, ‘It’s like he won a Grand Slam.”
Yes, even golf broadcasters are stunned that golf and the Ryder Cup has borrowed the intensity aura and character of high stakes pro tennis, even if for just a weekend.
How did this happen? The rivalry of US vs Europe was started in 1927 bi-annually. The first was the idea of a golf magazine to create a 12 man US team to compete vs a British team at British Open with money to be generated by magazine subscription. The concept evolved into the competition of today, 12 American vs 12 Europeans competing in various games, match play, foursomes, over three days.
In recent years the event has exploded into the most thrilling and dramatic tournament in golf fueled by national pride and reinforced by a extremely animated and involved fan bases. Ryder Cup today makes Laver Cup look ridiculously boring. It’s embarrassing for tennis to be upstaged by Ryder Cup golf.
Tennis must either cancel Laver Cup or reinvent it because as it is right now, Ryder Cup is killing Laver Cup. No contest.
The Tennis Cup – how about the Jimmy Connors Cup – could be North America South America Vs Europe and Asia. 12 man teams, Singles pro sets on Friday, doubles pro sets on Saturday, then full singles on Sunday.
Or any kind of creative variation. Anything but the current Laver Cup which is a disaster.
Tennis does not have a team event which rivals what the Ryder Cup is giving golf and golf fans. Tennis must figure out how to fill this void.
I fully expect tennis establishment to read this article and address this situation in the following year. Do not steal my ideas.
Davis Cup · Laver Cup · Ryder Cup
