Roger Federer of Switzerland dodges a tennis racket thrown by Andy Roddick of Britain after he won a point in the 2012 BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden in New York March 5, 2012. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine
Roger Federer of Switzerland dodges a tennis racket thrown by Andy Roddick of Britain after he won a point in the 2012 BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden in New York March 5, 2012. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine REUTERS

The world no. 2 Roger Federer, who recently earned his 1,000th career title, celebrated his victory by taking the sport into a different surface—water. After winning the Brisbane International title, Federer joined Lleyton Hewitt and volleyed back and forth from two speedboats in Sydney Harbour, Australia.

The two tennis superstars desperately tried to keep their balance on the boat as it sped along. The stunt was done to highlight a new tennis format called Fast4, which is thought to increase interest in the sport by keeping matches sharper and shorter. Fast4 is a slight variation of the real deal, and it does not require any change to one's preparation and game.

The concept of Fast4, which is touted as the Twenty20 of tennis, aims to revolutionise tennis. Michael Chammas of The Sydney Morning Herald opines the benefit of the new concept may not measured by the number of viewers tuning in to every tournament or by the amount of cheques rolling in, but rather at the grassroots level. At this age, where parents struggle to keep their kids interested in anything beyond an hour, Fast4 could entice kids into the sport. In fact, according to Federer, who has famously played on top of a Dubai skyscraper and a helipad, the new concept is to get more kids to play the sport.

Chammas adds Fast4 has a definite appeal for broadcasters who may capitalise with the fast-paced nature of the new concept. "I know sometimes that's hard for TV because in soccer and other sports you know exactly how long you are going to be playing," the Swiss Maestro said. "You beat the clock and you're fine, but in tennis you have to run over the finish line by hitting a winner."

Meanwhile, SMH reported tennis fans think the Fast4 concept is good but Channel Nine's coverage of the event was poor. Fans noticed the coverage of the Fast4 match between Federer and Hewitt in Sydney lacked scoreboards, had questionable silence from commentators and camera shots of just one player during points.

To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: d.ramos@ibtimes.com.au.

RELATED STORIES