2006 seems like it has been the year of the “fan-friendly” innovation in the sport of tennis.  There have been many efforts, some new and some recycled, to enhance the appeal of tennis to fans on TV and in stadiums all over the world.  For example, instant replay, on-court coaching, Sunday starts to tournaments, round robin format, models as ballkids, as well as on-court post-match interviews, "shooting" t-shirts into the stands, players hitting autographed balls into the stands after winning matches and “kids clubs.”  The last one, “kids clubs” is my personal favorite because it creates excitement about the sport of tennis in the next generation of tennis players and fans.  Instant replay also makes my top five list because it appeals to fans on TV and in the stands.  Round robin formats have been tried in the past and are appealing because of the possibility of seeing more of the top players, but then again sometimes there are “meaningless” matches once a player has already clinched a berth in the quarters or semis.  I hope on-court coaching finds its way off-court, but at the same time I think post-match on-court interviews and players hitting autographed balls into the stands are simple efforts which clearly bring the players closer to the fans.  Let’s hope the new ideas continue, especially as long as they don’t fundamentally alter the character of the sport…