Analyzing the US Open Series "It Must Be Love" Videos

It’s that time of year again. Time for the US Open Series to promote their string of hardcourt tournaments with quirky player videos. Let’s take a look at a few of them…

Andy Murray

This video is so Murray. A little bit weird, sort of awkward, yet for some reason it only makes me like him more. Unlike most people (who seem to be immune to his subtle charms) I find Murray very endearing. Best line: “One of them has, like, one of the bones in his toes… dead.”

Rafa Nadal

How can you not love this guy? He’s so cute and smiley. And I can’t help but laugh every time he says the word “gambas.” My favourite part is when at 0:18 they make Rafa stand in front of that pasta image and gesture as if he’s starring on his own cooking show. Best line: “I love pasta…and gambas.”

Roger Federer

I love the first shot of Rog--posing with his tennis racquet. Of course Federer is the only player in all of these videos who is pimped out in full-on tennis gear (his own personal Roger Federer gear at that!). And what better way to showcase the best player of all time than to have him show us his best shot of all time. Best Line: “Please don’t try this at home, I am a professional [said in a deadpan way]”

Kim Clijsters

Kim’s commercial is probably the blandest of the bunch. I like Kim and she seems really sweet, but the whole thing feels like a blatant ad for the US Open Series. And yes, I know that the purpose of these videos IS to promote the series, but at least the other videos offer some personal information about the players. In this one we get nothing. Best line: Is there a best line?

Novak Djokovic

I like this one because it wasn’t what I expected. It’s probably one of the more serious videos, which is something you wouldn’t have expected from Novak. The footage of him as a kid is cute and we get to hear a little bit about his first few years on the court. Best Line: “I was bringing them beers and stuff and in return I got to hit some balls.”

Bryan Brothers

I recently finished reading Patrick McEnroe’s “Hardcourt Confidential” and some of the most interesting parts for me were the sections on Bob and Mike Bryan. Basically they sound hilarious and I want to be their joint best friend. And this video only further confirms my belief that they would be fun to hang out with. Best Line: “He uses those white strips”