At The Sybase Open (Page 3)

As with the team's later desire to film at the Open using a new generation digital camera, gaining access and permission to film pro players at the Sybase was also challenge! Again, in any project, arranging the logistics is a prerequisite to doing any research.

Luckily the Sybase Open, played every year in San Jose, California, proved the ideal opportunity. Tournament Director Barry MacKay, a former top world class player himself, proved a real friend to the project. He knew that no one knew anything about the speed of the ball in pro tennis beyond the radar gun readings, and he was very curious himself to see what we might find!

Like other key collaborators such as Gordon Beck of USA Network and Herb Swan of USTA television, Barry MacKay's support was critical to the project. For years he was always known as a favorite among the players who came to his tournament for his sense of fairness, his friendliness, and his hospitality. Our team came to feel the same way! Barry set up the credentials for Nasif and John so they had full access to the facility. the ball speed project was a go!