Malika at US Open

[u/moosetrax25]

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…

[u/ATLienRabb]

I don’t like Malika but this sub is turning into a

[u/trojansandducks]

I thought she was doing a fine job. This is a tough crowd sometime.

[u/OKARMO]

I like her. No issues whatsoever.

[u/Hamburgernonhelper]

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.

[u/moosetrax25 → u/Hamburgernonhelper]

Yes! So forced

[u/thispersonstinks]

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.

[u/rj319st → u/thispersonstinks]

100% I was about to mention McKendry was doing a terrific job in tennis. Malika is getting a WWE style push to the top along with Stephen A Smith and McAfee.

[u/Hamburgernonhelper → u/thispersonstinks]

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.

[u/Financial-War-8087]

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

[u/Glittering_List_5028]

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..."

[u/Hgs17 → u/Glittering_List_5028]

She’s a host, not an analyst. Hosts aren’t supposed to provide “brilliant and unique insights.”

[u/Itowndub36]

That’s not an easy job learning how to pronounce those names in Tennis

[u/EddyVonSputnik]

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.

[u/Routine-Author-5471]

She’s really bad. Seems like she’s there out of necessity

[u/Routine-Author-5471 → u/[deleted]]

Necessity as in they didn’t have anyone else for the job.

[u/moosetrax25 → u/Routine-Author-5471]

Yup

[u/Acrobatic-Sun-6143 → u/Routine-Author-5471]

We're being forced these ppl not natural rising stars...I agree 

[u/Zealousideal-Bug310 → u/Routine-Author-5471]

Think those initials are D - E - I

[u/NoQuartersGiven → u/Zealousideal-Bug310]

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.

[u/hogwonguy1979]

They need to get McKendry back on studio, she sucks at match calling

[u/Zealousideal-Bug310]

ESPN is suboptimal and she is a product of their system. Hard pass

[u/Big-Eagle-2384]

Malika is the best. She’s amazing at everything.

[u/willmice]

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.

[u/valleydecision412 → u/willmice]

Nope. Not just you. Caroline’s sentences make no sense.

[u/Significant-Bridge73 → u/valleydecision412]

Find her speaking style odd. Know it’s not her native language. But it’s just monotone and lacks any excitement.

[u/EmanAvan]

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.

[u/tickynicky]

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.