Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

A controversial broadcast “innovation” may be given a second chance during January’s Australian tennis summer if broadcasters get their way with organizers at Perth’s Hopman Cup, the Brisbane ATP-WTA event and the Australian Open.

The Seven Network wants to try out the admittedly dicey programming gimmick of mid-match interviews which was given a go at the US Open to decidedly mixed reviews.

Broadcasters are hoping to gain permission to stick cameras in the faces of competitors after the end of sets in a nearly-unprecedented move.

Approval of the quirky and intrusive tactic at the US Open last month was given short shrift by most players, who have other things on their mind in the heat of battle than speaking with a journalist with a microphone in hand.

Seven has trialed the interviewing lark during Australian Rules football matches. The network wants to attempt and boost its presence, citing the usual excuse of fan interest which was used to sneak in pre-match interviews several seasons ago.

Novak Djokovic is one who has said he would not be taking part if asked, but added: “Who knows what the future brings?”

Mid-match interviews at the US Open yielded the predictable answers, producing little of note in the same way that WTA sideline coaching sessions – also televised – are less than sparkling at the best of times and provide zero information when the private chats are conducted in a language other than English.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.