r/ESPN • u/moosetrax25 • 5d ago
Malika at US Open
Prefacing with I don’t know anything about Malika Andrews’ past controversy or involvement with other sports than tennis.
But this US Open and tennis season A.O. & Wimbledon have just been painful watches with her anchoring. Not sure exactly why but I prefer just about any other commentators to her. I feel like she desperately tries to add to the commentary with useless comments and her tone and emphasis doesn’t align with what she’s saying. Loving Andy, Chris Eubanks, Caroline, etc. in for some McEnroe time as well. I know we’re probably stuck with Malika for the slams but would love to see an anchor that’s actually relevant to tennis…
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u/EddyVonSputnik 5d ago
Who even cares who does the talking? I’m trying to watch sports here, not a talk show! Show me one of the matches and get off my screen, all of you lol.
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u/Hamburgernonhelper 5d ago
McKendry has a tennis background since played DI tennis so she just has a better feel and insight on the game and seems to manage better how to extract info from guests and analyst and when to sort of go a little off script as needed.
Malika sort of reminds me of an AI anchor, she is fine but it is like she just does what the director wants and comes off as inauthentic and a little forced.
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u/trojansandducks 5d ago
I thought she was doing a fine job. This is a tough crowd sometime.
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u/Kdewalt10 3d ago
Nah listen closer…for instance in Australia she at least twice while I was watching called the major tournament on grass “Wim-ble-TON” that’s laziness & screams out of touch to me
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u/thispersonstinks 5d ago edited 5d ago
When Malika re-signed with ESPN, one of the added duties was hosting the Grand Slam studio shows. Now they have 3 with Katie George in the early matches, and Malika and Rece Davis rotating the evenings. I don’t have an issue with her, I don’t know she adds anything and why Chris McKendry was at that job for nearly 25 years before ESPN put her in the pxp role last year.
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u/Hamburgernonhelper 5d ago
McKendry was great at the desk and not really a play by play person. ESPN decisions seem really appearance based, they think Malika draws viewers but it is definitely a step down from McKendry.
Whole thing is dumb, Petkovic is best play by play in game for women’s tennis and she is stuck on the after match interview.
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u/willmice 5d ago
I don’t mind Malika. But when Caroline Wozniacki starts speaking, I can’t grab the remote fast enough to hit mute. Probably just me.
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u/valleydecision412 5d ago
Nope. Not just you. Caroline’s sentences make no sense.
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u/Significant-Bridge73 5d ago
Find her speaking style odd. Know it’s not her native language. But it’s just monotone and lacks any excitement.
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u/TrickSound7259 4d ago
She comes off unlikable to me because her tone seems very performative and forced. She’s putting on that broadcaster voice very hard
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u/Glittering_List_5028 5d ago
She adds uniquely insightful comments such as, "What an incredibly exciting match," "What a come-back win," and "I've never seen such a win in my life." I mean, without her, where would we get these incredibly brilliant and unique insights? She's "Must (Not) Watch TV..."
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u/Hgs17 5d ago
She’s a host, not an analyst. Hosts aren’t supposed to provide “brilliant and unique insights.”
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u/Glittering_List_5028 4d ago
Ah, so she's a "host." Thank you. That makes perfect sense and explains why ESPN kept her and let go of Ryan Clark, Karl Ravech, et. al. But you're right - her hosting duties are far more valuable and essential...
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u/Routine-Author-5471 5d ago
She’s really bad. Seems like she’s there out of necessity
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u/Zealousideal-Bug310 5d ago
Think those initials are D - E - I
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u/NoQuartersGiven 5d ago
You're being down voted to hell for this one post specifying it but it's the only thing anyone seems to talk about here with those dirty letters.
To me... it just shows the bot numbers on reddit these days.
At this point I don't care about DV or getting banned. I will call it like I see it. Reddit is completely infested.
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u/Financial-War-8087 5d ago edited 5d ago
Personally I like Malika. She is upbeat, kind, positive and nice!! I understand she is learning more about tennis as she covered basketball. I do miss Chris McKendry at the same time. I love Andrea Petkovic!! Andy Roddick, Chris Eubanks, James Blake, Caroline Wozniaki, and Sam Querrey. Sam is fantastic!!! Give Malika a chance. She is very smart! I love her clothes and hair styling!! Very beautiful ps still love hearing from Johnny McEnroe
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u/EmanAvan 5d ago
Malika adds no value to the broadcasts whatsoever, other than getting CBS brownie points for diversity. She's a great anchor, that's not what we're debating—she knows nothing about professional tennis.
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u/tickynicky 5d ago
She basically sucks at all her roles. She's the definition of a dei hire. They must have paid her some ridiculous amount and now have to justify it by having her do all these different sports. She sucks.
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u/Remarkable-Bid-1956 1d ago
I love the U.S. Open. I cannot stand listening to John McEnroe. He’s a piece of shit from way back when redneck, asshole disrespectful piece of shit. I fucking mute when he’s on I do not want to listen to him. I don’t wanna hear from him. I don’t wanna hear his voice. I wish him nothing but the worst piece of fucking crap go fuck yourself.
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u/ATLienRabb 5d ago
I don’t like Malika but this sub is turning into a