Former tennis players Darren Cahill and Brad Gilbert are toeing an interesting line at the 2024 US Open. Both are acting as coaches to top-ranked players and ESPN media personalities and their dual roles have made for confusing moments at this year’s US Open.
Darren Cahill Talks About Jannik Sinner’s Doping Situation
Darren Cahill is coaching World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Before the US Open, news broke that Sinner had failed two drug tests, but the issue had been resolved. He was ruled not at fault so no suspension was levied on him. Cahill sat on the ESPN couch where he normally sat as a broadcaster and told Sinner’s story. This was not from the perspective of an ESPN reporter. It was from his perspective as a coach and insider on Sinner’s team.
Brad Gilbert Talks About Coco Gauff’s Loss While She Is In Press Conference
Equally awkward was Brad Gilbert being interviewed by his ESPN colleagues while Coco Gauff was answering questions at her post-match press conference following her loss to Emma Navarro. Those were competing sound bytes. The player and coach were both addressing issues separately and simultaneously. It felt and looked weird at the time and it still does.
Commentators Permitted To Pull Double Duty
This leads to the question of whether or not Cahill and Gilbert should be forced to choose whether they are acting as a tennis coach or media personalities at the US Open. It is not the first time a media person has been in this situation.
Nearly ten years ago, John McEnroe, also with ESPN, was working with Canadian player Milos Raonic. At the 2016 US Open, McEnroe declared that he was not working with Raonic during the tournament. He felt it was the best thing for himself, ESPN, and the US Open.
How ESPN Deploys Them At The US Open
Normally, Cahill covers women’s matches. He is on the sidelines and offering his analysis on the WTA players. Gilbert is on the sidelines and providing analysis during the men’s matches. This is a good way to separate their roles. It gets complicated and confusing when ESPN asks them to comment on their player’s match and draw for in-studio analysis.
Cahill and Gilbert Have a Wealth of Knowledge
Cahill and Gilbert have a wealth of tennis knowledge. They would be sought after for years of experience as players, media professionals, and coaches. ESPN often says they are doing double duty at the US Open. Should they be allowed to do so?
Chris Eubanks Is Also In An Odd Position
Cahill and Gilbert are not the only people with the credentials to be media people for ESPN. James Blake, Mary Jo Fernandez, Cliff Drysdale, Chris Evert, and Nick Kyrgios have offered play-by-play and color analysis during the US Open. Almost as unusual as Cahill and Gilbert’s situation is Chris Eubanks’ setup.
He is also working for ESPN this year in Flushing Meadows. Eubanks lost in the first round of this year’s US Open. He replaced the racquet and sportswear with a microphone and a business suit. He also commentated earlier this year at Wimbledon.
Conclusion
More retired tennis players could serve as media professionals during the US Open other than Cahill, Gilbert, or even Eubanks. McEnroe was on to something years ago when he picked a lane for the US Open. He took off his coaching hat and continued his broadcasting career.
It would be less awkward and confusing for US Open viewers if ESPN did not muddy the water by putting people on television who are at the tournament for multiple reasons. Choose media people to do the commentary and in-studio work and let the coaches do their thing with their players off-camera.
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