First things first. I quite like Dan Lonergan. He did his apprenticeship in Perth on ABC radio in the late 90s. He replaced the late, great, Clint Grybas, who replaced the late, great George Grjlusich. Come to think of it, it was Wally Foreman who replaced Lonergan, and he's late and great too. Dan, look out. Clint "Tiger" Wheeldon, look out too. Working with Glen Mitchell can be dangerous.

I grew up in Perth, and therefore, the fact that Dan did a stretch in Dullsville (his Saturday arvo WAFL calls were particularly notable) virtually makes him a West Australian. It's the same logic that sees us claim Gilly. (But the reverse need not apply. We claim Simon Katich too.)

Aaaanyway...

I reckon Dan Lonergan is a very capable and professional sports broadcaster. This does not, however, mean I want to hear him call the tennis. Tell me the following is good radio:

Murray serves... deep in the corner. Granoyers returns. Murray-forehand-cross-court-Granoyers-backhand-slice-Murray-top-spin-forehand-Granoyers-forehand-Murray-forehand-Granoyers-forehand-Murray-forehanddowntheline-Granoyers-backhandslice-Murray-forehand-Granoyers-backhand-Murray-forehand-Granoyers-forehand-Murray-forehand-Granoyers-forehandintothenet... Murray wins the point... 15-love...

It is not.

Yet on and on it goes, every afternoon and evening for two weeks. I suppose it spares us Tony Delroy's quiz. For small mercies we should be thankful.

But I just can't help but think that whoever is in charge of these things should rethink live play-by-play tennis as a viable radio proposition.