On September 11, 1987, the world of tennis and television news collided in spectacular fashion, creating a moment that would go down in broadcasting history. As Steffi Graf and Lori McNeil battled it out on the court at the U.S. Open, little did they know their match would lead to one of the most bizarre incidents in television news.
The Match That Rocked the Newsroom
The semifinal clash between Graf and McNeil was a nail-biter. McNeil, riding high after ending Chris Evert's legendary streak of reaching at least the semifinals, was not going down without a fight. The match went to three sets, with Graf eventually emerging victorious 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
But while tennis fans were on the edge of their seats, CBS anchor Dan Rather was fuming in his chair. The thrilling match had run longer than expected, threatening to delay the start of the "CBS Evening News."
Rather's Walkout
As the clock ticked closer to 6:30 PM, Rather made an unprecedented decision. According to The New York Times, when informed that the news would be delayed, Rather declared, "If his broadcast did not go on at 6:30 as scheduled, he would not be in his anchor chair and that CBS Sports should fill the rest of the half-hour."
True to his word, when 6:32 PM rolled around and CBS Sports hadn't yielded the airwaves, Rather disconnected his microphone and walked off the set. The result? Six minutes of dead air – an eternity in television time.
The Aftermath
The incident caused a media frenzy. Entertainment Weekly reported that Johnny Carson quipped, "They just signed the black screen for 13 weeks." Even Walter Cronkite weighed in, stating he would have fired Rather for the stunt.
Meanwhile, on the tennis front, Graf's victory set up a final showdown with Martina Navratilova. Ironically, while Rather was walking off his set, McNeil was showing true sportsmanship, saying of Graf, "I admire the consistent level that she plays. But she's not unbeatable."
The Legacy
This incident became a defining moment in Rather's career. As reported by Cracked, it even came back to haunt him during a 1988 interview with George H.W. Bush, who used it to deflect questions about the Iran-Contra affair.
For tennis fans, however, the night is remembered for different reasons. It showcased the unpredictable nature of live sports and the drama that can unfold both on and off the court.
Conclusion
The night of September 11, 1987, will forever be etched in the annals of both tennis and television history. It serves as a reminder that in the world of live sports and news, anything can happen. Sometimes, a tennis match can even trump the evening news – much to the chagrin of certain news anchors!