The dictionary defines a press junket as a get together or different occasion held for journalists with a view to publicize a brand new movie, usually attended by the movie’s stars.
On the Nationwide Financial institution Open press junket, it’s the ATP gamers who’re the celebs.
The Sunday earlier than the principle draw will get rolling is usually a really busy day for the members of the media, who need to get in as many interviews as doable for the approaching week.
The commentators from the TV stations that maintain the broadcasting rights even have twice the work.
They attend the press conferences and still have a ten-minute one-on-one with the gamers to ask them extra particular questions. The objective is to have excerpts to broadcast earlier than the gamers’ matches.
Between bouts or in a rain delay, the lengthy interviews come to the rescue of producers, who can run them of their entirety to maintain viewers throughout prolonged breaks.
Interviewers may also ask all of the gamers the identical collection of questions for a tennis vox pop with the most important names within the recreation.
Again in 2019, once I was a commentator for TVA Sports activities, I created a tailor-made questionnaire for Canadian BFFs Denis and Félix to learn the way nicely they knew one another: what one considered the opposite and if they’d the identical opinions on a given matter. A number of the solutions have been shocking, and the train was numerous enjoyable.
Don’t overlook the swag
In between two studios and three questions, the celebs signal balls, racquets, shirts and posters for sponsors and followers. They play the sport with out batting an eye fixed and even pose on the identical time! (Felix has lengthy since confirmed he’s a multitasker, on and off the court docket).
It’s all a part of being a celebrity.
Edited by Nina
The discreet younger lady who stands within the shadows at Félix’s interviews is his accomplice, Nina Ghaibi.
She’s behind all of the World No.9’s social media posts, from the pictures on Twitter of Félix greeting his followers in Canada and all over the world to the fast-paced video montages with music that his lots of of hundreds of followers see on Instagram.
Nina is aware of tips on how to flip an earthly interview or a routine exercise right into a enjoyable little clip.
It’s important to admire the gamers who participate within the junkets. Listening to the identical questions again and again and answering them diligently and respectfully is one thing we must always admire. Lots of gamers preserve smiling and generously share particulars, recognizing that each interviewer is totally different and deserves the absolute best content material.
On the junkets I’ve taken half in, Nadal, Federer, Fognini, Goffin, Monfils and even Kyrgios have at all times been courteous. However my favorite will at all times be John Isner, the affable American I described because the good light big.
Regardless that he’s been requested for one of these photograph 1,000,000 instances, he obliged with a smile, understanding his position as an idol. On and off the court docket.
Only for reference, I’m 5’9”.
