2013/05/20

Tennis Channel Announces Emirates Airline US Open Series Broadcast Schedule

Tennis Channel will cover nine Emirates Airline US Open Series events during the seven weeks between now and the US Open, offering more than 100 match hours from the annual North American summer hard-court season. The network’s lineup includes five men’s ATP and three women’s WTA tournaments, along with a combined event with both men’s and women’s draws at the same venue. Featuring singles semifinal, quarterfinal, and early round action – in addition to select doubles play – series coverage will first air Thursday, July 12, and run through Friday, August 24.

 

In all, Tennis Channel will cover nine of the 10 Emirates Airline US Open Series tournaments, with the women’s New Haven Open at Yale as the lone exception. The network’s lineup: ATP – BB&T Atlanta Open (Atlanta), Farmers Classic (Los Angeles), Citi Open (Washington, D.C.), Rogers Cup (Toronto) and Winston-Salem Open (Winston-Salem, N.C.); WTA – Bank of the West Classic (Stanford, Calif.), Mercury Insurance Open (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Rogers Cup (Montreal). Tennis Channel will also showcase the men’s and women’s Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati).

 

This summer marks the ninth consecutive year that Tennis Channel has covered the Emirates Airline US Open Series, continuing a streak that began when the USTA created the circuit in 2004. As it has done since 2008, the network will produce all coverage for itself and fellow series broadcasters ESPN and CBS Sports, other than the Cincinnati and Canada-based events.

Tennis Channel’s 2012 Emirates Airline US Open Series live and same-day telecast schedule (all times ET) and on-air talent follows: For encore replays, visit www.tennischannel.com/schedule.

July 12-13            Bank of the West Classic (WTA)

Thursday, July 12 – 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; 11 p.m.-1 a.m. (singles round of 16)

Friday, July 13 – 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; 10 p.m.-12 a.m. (singles quarterfinals)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Robinson, Analyst – Davenport, Sideline Reporter – Morariu

 

July 20-21            BB&T Atlanta Open (ATP)

                                Friday, July 20 – 9 p.m.-11 p.m. (singles quarterfinal)

Saturday, July 21 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m. (singles semifinal)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Haber, Analyst – Arias, Sideline Reporter – Fisher

 

July 21                  Mercury Insurance Open (WTA)

                                Saturday, July 21 – 1 a.m.-3 a.m.; 5 p.m.-7 p.m. (singles quarterfinal; singles semifinal)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Robinson, Analyst – Davenport, Sideline Reporter – Morariu

 

July 26-29            Farmers Classic (ATP)

                                Thursday, July 26 – 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (singles round of 16)

Friday, July 27 – 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; 10:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. (singles quarterfinals)

Saturday, July 28 – 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (doubles semifinal)

Sunday, July 29 – 10 p.m.-11:30 p.m. (doubles final)

                                Talent: Play-by-Play – Shiras, Analyst – Arias, Sideline Reporter – Fisher

 

Aug. 2-4                Citi Open (ATP)

Thursday, Aug. 2 – 4 p.m.-8 p.m. (singles round of 16)

Friday, Aug 3 – 2 p.m.-4 p.m.; 9 p.m.-11 p.m. (singles quarterfinals)

Saturday, Aug. 4 – 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (singles semifinal)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Shiras, Analysts – Arias and Dell, Sideline Reporter – Fisher

 

Aug. 6-9                Rogers Cup (ATP/WTA)

                                Monday, Aug. 6 – 1 p.m.-9 p.m. (ATP singles early round action)

Tuesday, Aug. 7 – 1 p.m.-9 p.m. (ATP/WTA singles early round action)

Wednesday, Aug. 8 – 1 p.m.-9 p.m. (ATP/WTA singles early round action)

Thursday, Aug. 9 – 6 p.m.-10 p.m. (WTA singles early round action)

Talent:   ATP: Host – Shiras, Play-by-Play and Analyst – TPL World Feed Commentators

                WTA: Play-by-Play – Haber, Analyst – Davenport

 

Aug. 13-15            Western & Southern Open (ATP/WTA)

                                Monday, Aug. 13 -11 a.m.-10 p.m. (ATP/WTA early round action)

Tuesday, Aug. 14 – 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (ATP/WTA early round action)

Wednesday, Aug. 15 – 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (ATP/WTA early round action)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Eagle and Haber, Analyst – Davenport and Gimelstob

 

Aug. 23-24            Winston-Salem Open (ATP)

                                Thursday, Aug. 23 – 5 p.m.-7 p.m. (singles quarterfinal)

Friday, Aug. 24 – 9 p.m.-11 p.m. (singles semifinal)

Talent: Play-by-Play – Shiras, Analyst – Arias, Sideline Reporter – Fisher

 

Share
Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: , , , ,

USTA Announces First “US Open Sportsmanship” Award

The USTA has introduced the “US Open Sportsmanship Award” which will be presented to one male and one female professional tennis player who best demonstrates excellence in sportsmanship throughout the Emirates Airline US Open Series and the US Open.  The award will be presented to each winner during the 2012 US Open.

 

“We believe that great sports make a sport great,” said USTA Chairman of the Board and President Jon Vegosen.  “Professional athletes in our sport are viewed as role models by fans across the globe.  The US Open is a great opportunity to recognize the positive impact these athletes can make in promoting excellence in sportsmanship through the game of tennis.”

 

The USTA started a Sportsmanship Committee in 2011.  Its charge is to “educate and inspire youngsters and their parents to develop and exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship and an attitude of fair play and mutual respect on and off the tennis court.  Underlying the charge is the ethical imperative that fairness is more important than winning.”  Todd Martin is the Honorary Chair, and USTA/Middle States Section President George Parnell, is the Chair of the USTA Sportsmanship Committee.

 

“The USTA believes strongly in the importance of good sportsmanship in making tennis more enjoyable for all,” said Todd Martin, Selection Committee Chairman.  “Players, parents, and coaches alike all share responsibility in ensuring that good sportsmanship always is an integral part of competition—regardless of the level of play.  When players adhere to the rules of fair play and parents and coaches encourage good sportsmanship by their own actions and examples, the sport benefits—and becomes more enjoyable and beneficial to all involved.”

 

Eligibility requirements for potential winners include participating in at least two Series tournaments, as well as the 2012 US Open.  In addition to a handsome trophy, each US Open Sportsmanship Award winner will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of his or her choice.

 

The USTA will promote this new award at all Series tournaments and in advance of the 2012 US Open by creating a “Great Sport” brochure, along with in-stadium messaging for fans and tennis players.

Share
Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: , , , ,

Emirates Airline Inks 7-Year Deal to Sponsor US Open Series

From the USTA – The USTA announced on Thursday a partnership with Emirates Airline to sponsors of the US Open and US Open Series. As part of the agreement, Emirates becomes the “Official Airline of the US Open” and the title sponsor of the “Emirates Airline US Open Series,” whose 10 events combine to form the summer hardcourt professional tennis season and lead into the US Open.

 

The seven-year partnership includes sponsorship rights include integrated consumer experiential elements and substantial digital media assets and opportunities. Emirates will have a significant on-court presence and also receive global promotional rights. In 2011, the US Open Series collectively reached a U.S. viewing audience of 39 million and drew more than 800,000 fans.

 

“Our new partnership with the USTA and sponsorship of the prestigious US Open represents a further strengthening of Emirates’ presence within the United States,” said Sir Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice-Chairman of Emirates Airline & Group. “With the launch of Seattle, our sixth U.S. gateway on March 1, Emirates will soon offer 59 flights a week to North America, connecting more U.S. consumers than ever to our vast global network spanning six continents.”

 

“Our continued expansion across the country and the advent of a new brand era for Emirates makes this the perfect time to embark on our first major, national sponsorship in the United States,” continued Sir Maurice. “Through this partnership, we hope to create a deeper connection with our customers through sharing in and supporting their passions. Emirates is a strong champion of North American sports and this sponsorship will enable us to enhance the fan experience at these tournaments while building a lasting relationship with tennis in the U.S.”

 

“This partnership truly is a combination of prestigious global brands and we’re thrilled to welcome Emirates Airline as a USTA Corporate Champion,” said Lew Sherr, Chief Revenue Officer, USTA. “While we look forward to supporting Emirates’ efforts to build awareness in the U.S., we’re also excited to leverage their global network and promote our events to an equally sophisticated, global clientele.”

 

Through the sponsorship, Emirates will enhance attendees’ experiences and engage with viewers through mainstream and digital platforms and an on-site presence during all US Open and Emirates Airline US Open Series events. During the 2012 US Open in New York (August 27 – September 9), Emirates will create an integrated fan experience – both on and off the court – demonstrating the airline’s award-winning, world-class service, as well as opening doors to Emirates’ network of destinations across six continents.

Emirates will be integrated into all Emirates Airline US Open Series broadcasts across CBS Sports, ESPN2 and Tennis Channel through on-air billboards, interstitials and in-broadcast features. When combined, the 2011 US Open and US Open Series drew more than 1.5 million fans and provided more than $40 million in prize money to men’s and women’s professional tennis players.

 

“This sponsorship provides Emirates with a unique opportunity to engage with local communities across the United States through the USTA’s community initiatives,” added Sir Maurice. “By building bridges with local communities through sport, Emirates hopes to unite fans, engage in meaningful conversations and bring global cultures together.”

 

The 2012 Emirates Airline US Open Series includes:

 

(i)            Bank Of The West Classic, Stanford, California (Women’s)

Date: July 9 – 15

 

(ii)           Atlanta Tennis Championships, Atlanta, Georgia (Men’s)

Date: July 16 – 22

 

(iii)          Mercury Insurance Open, Carlsbad, California (Women’s)

Date: July 16 – 22

 

(iv)          Farmers Classic, Los Angeles, California (Men’s)

Date: July 23 – 29

 

(v)           Legg Mason Tennis Classic, Washington, D.C. (Men’s)

Date: July 30 – August 5

 

(vi)          Rogers Cup, Toronto and Montreal, Canada (Men’s & Women’s)

Date: August 6 – 13

 

(vii)         Western & Southern Open, Cincinnati, Ohio (Men’s & Women’s)

Date: August 12 – 19

 

(viii)        Winston-Salem Open, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Men’s)

Date: August 19 – 25

 

(ix)          New Haven Open at Yale, New Haven, Connecticut (Women’s)

Date: August 19 – 25

Share
Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: , , ,