A broadcaster’s worst nightmare

Sportsnet apologizes after live feed of Canada’s Davis Cup win went dark

The timing of a technical glitch that knocked Sunday’s Davis Cup final off the air on Sportsnet couldn’t have come at a worse time for tennis fans across Canada.

Instead of watching the dramatic scenes of the country’s first-ever win at the prestigious team event, viewers were left in the dark because of an issue with the network’s satellite feed.

Broadcasters Rob Faulds and Robert Bettauer, providing commentary from a remote studio, had to call the last few points by checking an online scoreboard.

“I’m putting it kindly when I say that was just an unbelievably exasperating moment, and not just for me (but) everybody watching across the country,” Bettauer told The Canadian Press.

In a statement, Sportsnet apologized for the interruption and said weather issues were to blame.

Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, who secured the 2-0 victory with a singles win over Australia’s Alex de Minaur, was mobbed by teammates on the court after the final point in Málaga, Spain. The feed interruption continued during the ensuing celebration and trophy ceremony.

“As I like to say, ‘What are the odds? Really?’ ” said Bettauer, who has represented Canada as a Davis Cup player and coach.

Sportsnet said it was eventually able to “recover the broadcast in full” and re-aired the match and ceremony with commentary Sunday night.

Forced to pivot on the fly, Faulds and Bettauer could only look at their laptops for updates and try their best under the unusual circumstances. Apologies for the technical difficulties were worked in regularly.

Auger-Aliassime locked up the win when de Minaur return’s landed out. Not knowing details besides the score, Bettauer confirmed the result on air and simply said, “That’s it.”

While technicians “were scrambling madly behind the scenes” to try to get the feed back, Bettauer said he just kept checking the ITF Davis Cup scoreboard for updates.

“You don’t panic and you stay focused on what you need to do,” he said in a phone interview.

“You remember that you’re speaking to an audience across the country and they’re in the same boat you are.”

Once the full video of the feed was secured, Bettauer and Faulds provided an additional call of the match for use on the replay.

Sportsnet’s team is normally on site for Davis Cup matches in Canada, but remote coverage is provided for road ties, Bettauer said.

Canada made its Davis Cup debut in 1913, but had never won the trophy until Sunday.

“It was time for Canada,” said Tennis Canada president Michael Downey.

“It was time for these young men to break through.”

Downey added that plans will soon be made to celebrate the title. A countrywide trophy tour with stops at tennis clubs and schools is a possibility: “When kids see the trophy and they know that Félix and Denis (Shapovalov) and Vasek (Pospisil) and others delivered, it’s going to inspire them.”