Tennis commentary explores the balance of silence and storytelling

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 9:16 AM

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

Tennis commentary explores the balance of silence and storytelling
Summary

A feature on tennis commentary has emerged from Wimbledon, highlighting the unique art of describing live matches. The absence of words is contrasted with the importance of sound, particularly the thwock of the ball on strings. Commentators like Jonathan Overend and Gigi Salmon emphasize the need to create a vivid experience for listeners, conveying the game's rhythm and drama. While television broadcasts often focus on visuals, radio commentary requires precise and engaging language to convey the action, as demonstrated by Salmon's lengthy call during a historic match in 2010. As technology evolves, so does the approach to commentary, blending traditional techniques with modern storytelling.

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By the Numbers
  • Commentators balance descriptive language with moments of silence.
  • Jonathan Overend views commentary as a musical composition.
  • Gigi Salmon focuses on storytelling to engage listeners.
  • Radio commentary requires an economy of language during long rallies.
  • Salmon famously commentated for over nine hours during a historic match.
Latest Updates
  • 9:16 AMYahoo SportsThe art of tennis commentary, where silence is golden and words become pictures
What they're saying
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THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB, London — A ball kid scurries along the net before crouching down. The wind ruffles the hem of a skirt. A player wipes the bead of sweat from their brow. They prepare to serve, bouncing the ball, once, twice, three times. Then it arrives. The percussive thwock of strings meeting ball. No words have more impact than that sound, and when fans watch tennis on television, they do so in silence. The movements of the players, the geometries that they craft and their speed of thoug

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