2013/05/24

2013 Australian Open Broadcast Schedules

Rod Laver Arena

2013 Australian Open Broadcast Schedules for ESPN2 and Tennis Channel

ESPN2 Australian Open TV Schedule (All times Eastern)
Sun, Jan 13 6:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Mon, Jan 14 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Tue, Jan 15 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Wed, Jan 16 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Thur, Jan 17 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Fri, Jan 18 9 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Sat, Jan 19 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE
Sun, Jan 20 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Round of 16
Mon, Jan 21 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., Tue 3:30 – 6 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Quarterfinals
Tue, Jan 22 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE,
Wed, Jan 23 3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Quarterfinals
Wed, Jan 23 9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Women’s Semifinals ESPN2 LIVE,
Thurs, Jan 24 3:30 – 6 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Men’s Semifinal #1
Fri, Jan 24 3:30 – 6 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Men’s Semifinal #2
Sat, Jan 26 3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Women’s Final
Sun, Jan. 27 3 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. ESPN2 LIVE, Men’s Final

Tennis Channel Australian Open TV Schedule (All times Eastern)
Monday, Jan. 14, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, First Round
Tuesday, Jan. 15, 7:00 – 9:00 PM PM LIVE, Second Round
Wednesday, Jan. 16, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM LIVE, Second Round
Thursday, Jan. 17, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM LIVE, Third Round
Friday, Jan. 18, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, Third Round
Saturday, Jan. 19, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, Round of 16
Sunday, Jan. 20, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, Round of 16
Monday, Jan. 21, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, Women’s Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM LIVE, Women’s Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM LIVE
Thursday, Jan. 24, 11:00 PM – 3:00 AM LIVE, Women’s Doubles Final
Saturday, Jan. 26, 5:30 AM – 7:30 AM LIVE, Men’s Doubles Final
Sunday, Jan. 27, 12:30 AM – 2:30 AM LIVE, Mixed Doubles Final

 

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Australian Open on ESPN2 to Feature 100+ Hours of Coverage

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Australian Open Starts Sunday on ESPN2

100+ Hours on ESPN2 HD, 600 on ESPN3; Finals Live January 26, 27

 

The 2013 tennis season begins with the Australian Open presented by Franklin Templeton Investments with more than 100 live hours on ESPN2 HD and 600+ on ESPN3. Each year, the marathon live action seen overnight in the U.S. from Melbourne has led to some of the most dramatic action in the sport in recent years. The action gets underway Sunday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. ET with a 12.5-hour telecast.

 

ESPN’s 29th consecutive Australian Open represents the company’s longest uninterrupted professional sports programming relationship. Daily action continues each night with afternoon reairs totaling more than 50 additional hours through the women’s championship Saturday, Jan 26, and the men’s championship Sunday, Jan. 27, both at 3 a.m. with reairs later each day at 9 a.m. and in prime time. The telecasts are also available through WatchESPN online at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.

 

Expanded digital coverage includes 600 hours on ESPN3, all live, with users choosing between ESPN2 or action on up to other seven courts with all matches available on-demand after completion. ESPN3’s coverage starts at 7 p.m. over the first 11 days of the tournament with the first ball each day of all TV court matches. Additionally, ESPN3 will offer live matches not airing on ESPN2, including the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles championships and the finals of the boys and girls divisions.

 

The tournament is part of ESPN’s ongoing Grand Slam alliance with Tennis Channel, which offers audiences a near round-the-clock tournament experience at tennis’ major events. ESPN is producing all Australian Open coverage for both networks, which will cross-promote each other with each channel utilizing its own commentators.

 

TV: IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

The best tennis team in television returns for 2013, led by Cliff Drysdale – who has been with ESPN since its first tennis telecast in 1979. Darren Cahill, Chris Evert, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver return with hosts Chris Fowler, who also calls matches including the finals, and Chris McKendry. Tom Rinaldi will contribute features, news and interviews during event coverage and on SportsCenter.

 

ESPN Interactive TV, seen on DIRECTV and ESPN3, will again present the Australian Open in a six-screen “mix channel” format. For eight hours each evening during the first eight days of the tournament, viewers will be able to watch the ESPN2 feed or select from five other courts, all with commentary and customized graphics. Interactive data features include the tournament draw, up-to-date scores, daily order of play, and social media interaction. SportsCenter’s Steve Weissman will anchor the coverage, providing studio updates and news from around the tournament. Joining the announce team are former players Chanda Rubin, Jeff Tarango, Leif Shiras, Elise Burgin, Doug Adler, Nick Lester, and Christen Bartelt, along with play by play announcers Mark Donaldson and Brian Webber.

 

ESPN International will deliver to the pan-regional ESPN networks in Latin America (including the HD networks) over 100 hours of coverage, showcasing the biggest names in tennis and players of local relevance. ESPN+ will air over 30 hours of live complementary coverage in primetime throughout the early rounds.

 

ESPN Classic is airing more than 100 hours of memorable Australian Open matches from the past as well as plus tennis-themed editions of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning SportsCentury series and other interview shows during January. Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 12 a.m. (Jan. 7 at 9 p.m. PT), ESPN Classic will air Australian Open programming virtually around the clock until Friday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. Later in the month, ESPN Classic will air a number of Australian Open matches upon a significant anniversary (5th, 10th, etc.), including Andy Roddick’s epic 21-19 fifth set vs. Younes El Aynaoui in the 2003 Australian Openquarterfinals (January 22, 9 a.m.), the Williams Sisters squaring off in the 2003 Women’s Final (January 24, 5 p.m.) and the 1993 Women’s Final between Monica Seles and Steffi Graf (January 29, 5 p.m.). For the full schedule.

 

DIGITAL MEDIA, AT HOME AND ABROAD

WatchESPN will deliver ESPN2’s live coverage of the Australian Open online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members. Additionally, ESPN3 will once again provide coverage of no fewer than eight live feeds from various courts – including the women’s and men’s semifinals and finals – nearly 600 hours. For the first 11 days (Sun., Jan. 13 – Wed., Jan. 23), coverage will commence at 7 p.m. (11 a.m. in Melbourne, when play begins) and continue for at least seven hours. The courts to be included are the “TV courts,” the ones most likely to have top matches: Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, Margaret Court Arena, plus Courts 2, 3, 6 and 8. For the remainder of the tournament, ESPN3 will continue with select live coverage from ESPN2, including the women’s (Jan. 26) and men’s (Jan. 27) finals, plus exclusive coverage of select men’s, women’s and mixed doubles play and the boys’ and girls’ finals. Fans can also access ESPN3 feeds from AustralianOpen.com. Each window will be available for on-demand replay following completion. With ESPN3’s dynamic interface, fans will be able to fast-forward, rewind and pause action – during on-demand replay and live action.

 

ESPN Mobile TV, a 24/7 channel for wireless, will provide 113 hours of live and simulcast coverage with ESPN2′s programming schedule.

 

ESPN On Demand (TV & Mobile) Will offer highlights from past years tournaments as well as a highlight from this year’s men’s and women’s matches.

 

ESPN.com will once again feature Courtcast, a cutting-edge application presented by IBM, featuring official IBM tournament and real-time statistics, Hawk-Eye technology, a rolling Twitter feed, Cover It Live analysis and interactive poll questions. Slam Central, an aggregation of all the day’s top news, analysis, blogs and video, as well as a daily Digital Serve and At This Minute video segments with commentators in Melbourne discussing the results, will be a daily staple. News and analysis from contributors Bonnie D. Ford and Tennis.com writers will add to the depth of coverage. During the second week of play, the staff will interact with fans via live blogging.

 

espnW.com will begin coverage Tuesday, Jan. 8, with several previews, player profiles and features planned, along with on-going analysis of the tournament. Highlights:

  • · Bonnie Ford will be in Melbourne providing commentary, features and more, including a major feature on Serena Williams, looking back at her tremendous summer of 2012 and wondering what’s to come this year.
  • · A feature on Victoria Azarenka who played brilliantly in the first quarter of 2012 and ultimately ended the year No. 1. Is she a legitimate No. 1 or just the latest who briefly holds that ranking?
  • · A look at how tennis hasn’t been immune to positive drug tests, but it seems to lack the sense of pervasive suspicion that exists within other sports.
  • · What’s new since the off season? The Australian Open is often compared to the start of the school year – who is looking different, who is ready to make a move, what are the new coaching pairings, etc.
  • · A complete analysis of the women’s draw will be posted January 10.
  • · Rising American star Sloane Stephens will blog several times during the tournament.

 

In addition, Kate Fagan will have a feature story about a how in the last 20 years, a single indoor court in Moscow, the Spartak tennis facility, has produced more female tennis talent than the entirety of the United States. That court is run by coaches who teach a distinct brand of tennis, focusing on fundamentals. In fact, most young players aren’t allowed to compete against an opponent until they’ve spent a minimum of three years practicing. This story will explain how, and why, Spartak has managed to produce such an inordinate amount of tennis talent, while also examining the role of Russian culture in the equation. Just as basketball provides an escape route for young men growing up in the inner city, so too does tennis offer opportunity for the young women of Moscow.

 

ESPNtenis.com will have the following content: A daily webisode called “ESPiaNdo el Australian Open”; an “applet” featuring real-time, point-by-point scoring of all matches; live scores, results and brackets; columns, chats and blogs by TV commentators and other writers; polls; the “Ask ESPN” feature, prompting users to send their comments/questions via the website; video clips with highlights of daily action and analysis; TV scheduling information, and photo galleries.

 

ESPN International’s ESPN Play (Watch ESPN in Brazil) broadband service in Latin America will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the year’s first Grand Slam, airing over 500 hours of live tennis from every available televised court, including the men’s & women’s quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, all live. This streaming action will be available in over two million homes in 15 countries throughout Latin America/Caribbean (Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Panama, Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Trinidad/Tobago).

 

 

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013 on ESPN2 HD

(For these charts, all times are Eastern, and each day “begins” at 6 a.m. ET.

Therefore, the listing Sun., Jan. 19 at 3:30 a.m. ET is actually very late on Sunday night.)

 

Date Time (ET) Event
Sun, Jan 13 6:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. Early round play LIVE
Mon, Jan 14 Noon – 2:55 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 15 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 16 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
11 p.m. – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Thur, Jan 17 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
11 p.m. – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Fri, Jan 18 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Sat, Jan 19 7 – 9:55 a.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Round of 16 LIVE
3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Sun, Jan 20 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. “ LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Mon, Jan 21 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 22 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. “ LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 23 2 – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Women’s Semifinals LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 LIVE
Thurs, Jan 24 1 – 4 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 reair
3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 LIVE
Fri, Jan 25 1 – 4 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 reair
3 – 5:30 a.m. Women’s Championship LIVE
Sat, Jan. 26 9 – 11 a.m. Women’s Championship reair
10 p.m. – MID Women’s Championship reair
3 – 6:30 a.m. Men’s Championship LIVE
Sun, Jan 27 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Men’s Championship reair
7:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Men’s Championship reair

 

 

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2012 French Open US TV Schedule

All times Eastern.

Sunday, May 27
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – First round, NBC
Monday, May 28
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
Tuesday, May 29
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – First round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – First round, Tennis Channel
Wednesday, May 30
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Second round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Second round, Tennis Channel
Thursday, May 31
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Second round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Second round, Tennis Channel
Friday, June 1
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Third round, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Third round, Tennis Channel
Saturday, June 2
5:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Third round, Tennis Channel
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Third round, NBC
Sunday, June 3
5:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Round of 16, Tennis Channel
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Round of 16, NBC
Monday, June 4
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Round of 16, ESPN2
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Round of 16, Tennis Channel
Tuesday, June 5
8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals, Tennis
1:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals (live and same-day tape), ESPN2
Wednesday, June 6
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Quarterfinals, ESPN2
Thursday, June 7
8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Women’s semifinals, ESPN2
Friday, June 8
7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Men’s semifinal, Tennis Channel
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Men’s semifinal, NBC
Saturday, June 9
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Women’s final, NBC
Sunday, June 10
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Men’s final, NBC

 

2012 French Open on ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD

Date Time (ET) Event  
Sun, May 27 –  Fri, June 1 5 – 10 a.m. Early Round Action Live
   
Mon, June 4 5 – 10 a.m. Round of 16 Live
Tue, June 5 1 – 7 p.m. Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Wed, June 6 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Quarterfinals Live
Thur, June 7 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Women’s Semifinals Live

 

2012 French Open on ESPN3

Date Time (ET) Event  
Sun, May 27 –  Fri, June 1 5 a.m. – 3 p.m. Early Round Action Live
   
Mon, June 4 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Round of 16 Live
Tue, June 5 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Quarterfinals Live
Wed, June 6 5 a.m. – 1 p.m. Quarterfinals Live
Thur, June 7 5 a.m. – 1 p.m. Men’s Doubles SemisWomen’s Semifinals Live

Tennis Channel’s Live 2012 French Open Match Schedule

 

Date                                        Time (ET)                  Event                                     

Sunday, May 27                      10 a.m.-3 p.m.             First-Round Action

Monday, May 28                    10 a.m.-3 p.m.             First-Round Action

Tuesday, May 29                    10 a.m.-3 p.m.             First-Round Action

Wednesday, May 30               10 a.m.-3 p.m.             Second-Round Action

Thursday, May 31                   10 a.m.-3 p.m.             Second-Round Action

Friday, June 1                         10 a.m.-3 p.m.             Third-Round Action

Saturday, June 2                     5 a.m.-Noon                Third-Round Action

Sunday, June 3                        5 a.m.-1 p.m.               Round-of-16 Action

Monday, June 4                      10 a.m.-3 p.m.             Round-of-16 Action

Tuesday, June 5                      8 a.m.-1 p.m.               Quarterfinals

Friday, June 8                         7 a.m.-11 a.m.             Men’s Semifinal

 

Tennis Channel will also offer same-day replays of singles quarterfinal and semifinal matches, and encore coverage of the men’s and women’s championships after the close of play on the final Sunday (ET):

 

Wednesday, June 6 – 1 p.m.-7 p.m.: men’s and women’s singles quarterfinals

Thursday, June 7 – 1 p.m.-7 p.m.: women’s singles semifinals

Friday, June 8 – 5 p.m.-midnight: men’s semifinals

Sunday, June 10 – 2 p.m.-6 p.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight: men’s final; 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: women’s final.

Broadband Coverage

This year during the French Open more than 300 hours of live matches will be available for free on Tennis Channel’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, an increase of more than 100 hours over 2011. Also new, online streaming will run from 5 a.m. ET through the end of the day’s play, marking the first time broadband matches will be available live regardless of whether or not Tennis Channel’s television-coverage window is taking place. Viewers can access up to five courts at the same time during live windows the first week of the tournament and then view on-demand archived matches after play has stopped each evening.

NBC

FRENCH OPEN ON NBC
Sunday, May 27 Noon – 3 p.m. ET First Round (Live)
Saturday, June 2 Noon – 3 p.m. ET Third Round (Live)
Sunday, June 3 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ET Fourth Round (Live)
Friday, June 8 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (all time zones) Men’s Semifinals (Live ET)
Saturday, June 9 9 a.m. – Noon ET Women’s Final (live)
Sunday, June 10 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET Men’s Final (Live)

FRENCH OPEN ON NBCSPORTS.COM: Tennis fans can go online to watch a live simulcast of each day of NBC’s coverage including the Men’s and Women’s Finals, and live streaming coverage, across the country, of the Men’s Semifinals on Friday, June 8. NBCSports.com will also provide daily video highlights online-only analysis for NBC’s tennis commentators.

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ESPN Announces Australian Open 2012 TV Schedule

Tennis’ first Major of 2012 – the Australian Open – gets underway down under when ESPN2 HD, ESPN3 and ESPN’s digital platforms present some of the longest scheduled live telecast windows of the year in sports, starting Sunday, Jan. 15.  Under the terms of a new 10-year agreement taking effect, ESPN2 again will televise more than 100 live hours, plus afternoon highlights and replays from overnight action.  The telecasts are also available through WatchESPN online at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.  Expanded digital coverage includes 600 hours on ESPN3, all live, with users choosing between action on seven courts with all matches available on-demand after completion.

 

Play begins in Melbourne with a 12.5-hour telecast on ESPN2 and ESPN3 starting Sunday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. ET.  Late-night marathons will continue through the women’s and men’s finals live at 3 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, and Sunday, Jan. 29, (very late on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively).  In addition, ESPN’s SportsCenter will provide live look-ins to the action during the 11 p.m. and late-night editions.

 

New Agreement Takes Effect

The 2012 Australian Open marks the beginning of a 10-year agreement between ESPN and Tennis Australia that extends ESPN’s multimedia through 2021 and international coverage through 2016.  Having televised the Australian Open – including the women’s and men’s semifinals and finals exclusively – since 1984, this is ESPN’s longest uninterrupted professional sports programming relationship.  The new agreement, announced in 2010, includes all ESPN platforms.  It continues the extensive ESPN2 schedule, Spanish-language U.S. rights and distribution in Latin America via ESPN International (2012-16).  It also includes expanded rights for ESPN3, iTV (interactive television), and highlights on ESPN.com and other emerging and digital media, including ESPN Mobile TV, solidifying ESPN’s position as the leader in live tennis coverage.

 

Intrigue in Both Draws

Two-time champion Novak Djokovic – coming off one of the finest seasons in tennis history – will defend the men’s title as the top seed against a stellar field topped by No. 2 seed and 2009 winner Rafael Nadal and No. 3 and three-time champion Roger Federer.  Andy Murray seeks his first major title at No. 4 as does David Ferrer at No. 5.

 

Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki leads the women’s field, and No. 2 seed Petra Kvitova will try to continue her 2011 success, winning Wimbledon and the WTA Tour Championship.  Victoria Azarenka is No. 3, the 2008 champion, Maria Sharapova, is No. 4, the 2011 French Open winner Li Na is No. 5, and local favorite Sam Stosur is No. 6, hoping to win her second straight major title, having taken the 2011 US Open.  Last year’s women’s champion, Kim Clijsters, is playing for the first time in more than six months and is seeded No. 12.  Right behind her at No. 13 is Serena Williams, a five-time Aussie winner, who is also returning to action after an extended injury layoff, having last competed in the US Open final.

 

TV:  IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

Cliff Drysdale – who has been with ESPN since its first tennis telecast in 1979 – leads the ESPN2 team.  Chris Evert, who joined ESPN last year for Wimbledon and the US Open, will make her Australian Open debut.  Darren Cahill, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver return as analysts.  Chris Fowler will again host and call select matches, with Chris McKendry also hosting.  Tom Rinaldi will contribute features, news and interviews during event coverage and on SportsCenter.

 

ESPN2’s Australian Open programming will generally consist of live action in the evening continuing uninterrupted for 10 or more hours until the next morning, plus at least three hours of same-day action the next weekday afternoon at 12 p.m.  The tournament is part of ESPN’s ongoing Grand Slam alliance with Tennis Channel, which offers audiences a near round-the-clock tournament experience at tennis’ major events.  ESPN is producing all Australian Open coverage for both networks, which will cross-promote each other with each channel utilizing its own commentators.

 

ESPN Interactive TV, seen on DIRECTV and ESPN3, will present the Australian Open with a six-screen “mix channel.”  For eight hours per night during the first eight days of the tournament, viewers will be able to watch the ESPN2 feed or one of five other courts, all with commentary and customized graphics.   Features include interactive data, the tournament draw, up-to-date scores, daily order of play, and social media interaction.  A studio host has been added 2012, SportsCenter anchor Steve Weissman will provide updates and news from around the tournament, across each of the five additional channels.

 

ESPN International will deliver to the pan-regional ESPN networks in Latin America (including the HD networks) over 100 hours of coverage, showcasing the biggest names in tennis and players of local relevance. ESPN+ will air over 30 hours of live complementary coverage in primetime throughout the early rounds, while ESPN Dos and ESPN Brazil will re-air some of the best matches of the day during the first week of action.

 

ESPN Classic is airing 57 hours of memorable Australian Open matches from the past as well as interview shows and other tennis programming this week.  Highlights include:

 

Wed, Jan 11

7 p.m. — 1992 Men’s Final: Jim Courier tops Stefan Edberg in four sets

11 p.m. — 1995 Men’s Final: Andre Agassi outlasts Pete Sampras

 

Thur, Jan 12

7:30 p.m. — Up Close Classics: Arthur Ashe

11 p.m. — 2003 Women’s Final: Serena Williams defeats sister Venus 7-6, 3-6, 6-4

 

Fri, Jan 13

7:30 a.m. — Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova

1 p.m. — 2009 Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal wins a five-set marathon over Roger Federer

 

ESPN On Demand will offer a variety of programming before, during, and after the 2012 Australian Open. Highlights of past finals are available through January 31 (men’s from 1995, 2009, 2010, and 2011 and women’s from 2010 and 2011).  A recap of each of this year’s Women’s and Men’s Finals will also be offered through February 13.

 

DIGITAL MEDIA, AT HOME AND ABROAD

ESPN3 will again provide coverage of no fewer than eight live feeds (including a simulcast of ESPN2’s live coverage) from various courts – including the women’s and men’s semifinals and finals – nearly 600 hours.  For the first 11 days (Sun., Jan. 15 – Wed., Jan. 25), coverage will commence at 7 p.m. (11 a.m. in Melbourne, when play begins) and continue for at least seven hours.  The courts to be included are the “TV courts,” the ones most likely to have top matches:  Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, Margaret Court Arena, plus Courts 2, 3, 6 and 8.  For the remainder of the tournament, ESPN3 will continue the ESPN2 simulcast, including the women’s (Jan. 28) and men’s (Jan. 29) finals, plus exclusive coverage of select men’s, women’s and mixed doubles play and the boys’ and girls’ finals.  For the first time, fans can access ESPN3 feeds from AustralianOpen.com.

 

Each window also will be available for on-demand replay following completion.  With ESPN3’s dynamic interface, fans will be able to fast-forward, rewind and pause action – during on-demand replay and live action.

 

ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network, a 24/7 destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com.  It is currently available to approximately 70 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.  The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.  It is also accessible through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app through an affiliated provider.

 

ESPN.com will once again feature Courtcast, a cutting-edge application presented by IBM, featuring official IBM tournament and real-time statistics, Hawk-Eye technology, a rolling Twitter feed, Cover It Live analysis and interactive poll questions. Slam Central, an aggregation of all the day’s top news, analysis, blogs and video, as well as a daily Digital Serve and At This Minute video segments with commentators in Melbourne discussing the results, will be a daily staple.  News and analysis from contributors Ravi Ubha and Tennis.com writers will add to the depth of coverage.  During the second week of play, the staff will interact with fans via live blogging.

 

ESPNdeportes.com will have the following content:  A daily webisode called “ESPiaNdo el Australian Open”; an “applet” featuring real-time, point-by-point scoring of all matches; live scores, results and brackets; columns, chats and blogs by TV commentators and other writers; polls; the “Ask ESPN” feature, prompting users to send their comments/questions via the website; video clips with highlights of daily action and analysis; TV scheduling information, and photo galleries.

 

ESPN International’s ESPN Play (ESPN 360 in Brazil) broadband service in Latin America will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the year’s first Grand Slam, airing over 600 hours of live tennis from every available televised court, including the men’s & women’s quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, all live. This streaming action will be available in over two million homes in 11 countries throughout Latin America (Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Panama).

 

ESPN Mobile TV, a 24/7 channel for wireless, will provide 113 hours of live and simulcast coverage with ESPN2′s programming schedule.

 

ESPN – All Four Slams, All In One Place

Tennis has been part of ESPN since its first week on the air and provided many memorable moments, but it has never been as important as today, with the US Open joining the lineup in 2009, giving ESPN all four Grand Slam events, something no other U.S. network has ever done, let alone in one year. ESPN has presented the Australian Open since 1984, the French Open since 2002 (plus 1986 – 1993), and Wimbledon since 2003, with exclusivity for live television with all other rights extended added in a 12-year agreement starting in 2012.

 

ESPN debuted September 7, 1979, and the first tennis telecast was exactly one week later, September 14, a Davis Cup tie, Argentina at U.S. from Memphis with Cliff Drysdale on the call and John McEnroe playing.

 

In addition, broadband network ESPN3, now in nearly 70 million homes, carries thousands of hours of tennis annually, including all four Grand Slam events, plus ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments and WTA Premier Events, and season-ending championships for both tours.  Also, ESPN Classic shows great matches from the past and the sport receives extensive coverage on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, Spanish-language ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.  ESPN 3D aired its first tennis at Wimbledon in 2011.

 

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012 on ESPN2 HD

(For these charts, all times are Eastern, and each day “begins” at 6 a.m. ET.

Therefore, the listing for Sun., Jan. 15 at 3 a.m. ET is very late on Sunday night.)

 

Date Time (ET) Event  
Sun, Jan 15 6:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. Early round play LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Mon, Jan 16 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 17 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 18 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  11 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Thur, Jan 19 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  11 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Fri, Jan 20 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Sat, Jan 21 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. “ Same-day
  9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Round of 16 LIVE
  3 – 7 a.m. “ LIVE
Sun, Jan 22 11 a.m.  – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  9 p.m. – 2 a.m. “ LIVE
  3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Mon, Jan 23 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
  3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 24 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. “ LIVE
  3:30 – 6 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 25 Noon – 3 p.m. “ Same-day
  9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Women’s Semifinals LIVE
  3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 LIVE
Thurs, Jan 26 Noon – 3 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 reair
  3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 LIVE
Fri, Jan 27 Noon – 3 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 reair
  3 – 5:30 a.m. Women’s Final LIVE
Sat, Jan. 28 9 – 11 a.m. Women’s Final reair
  10 p.m. – MID Women’s Final reair
  3 – 6:30 a.m. Men’s Final LIVE
Sun, Jan 29 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Men’s Final reair
  9 p.m.–MID Men’s Final reair

 

 

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2012 on ESPN3

 

Date Time (ET) Event  
Sun, Jan 15 6:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. Early round play LIVE
Mon, Jan 16- Mon, Jan 23 3 – 7 a.m. and
7 p.m. – 2 a.m.		 Early round play LIVE
Mon, Jan 23 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
Tue, Jan 24- Wed, Jan 25 3:30 – 6 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
  7 – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
Wed, Jan 25 9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Women’s Semifinals LIVE
Thurs, Jan 26 11 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles SF/Women’s Doubles Finals LIVE
  3:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 LIVE
Fri, Jan 27 3:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 LIVE
  9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Girls and Boys Singles Finals LIVE
Sat, Jan. 28 5:30 – 7:30 a.m. Men’s Doubles Final LIVE
  3 – 5:30 a.m. Women’s Final LIVE
Sat, Jan. 29 12:30 – 2:30 a.m. Mixed Doubles Final LIVE
  3 – 6:30 a.m. Men’s Final LIVE

 

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Wimbledon Broadcast Schedule

Monday, June 20
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Wimbledon Early Rounds Day 1 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Tuesday, June 21
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Wimbledon Early Rounds Day 2 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Wednesday, June 22
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Wimbledon Early Rounds Day 3 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Thursday, June 23
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Wimbledon Early Rounds Day 4 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Friday, June 24
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Wimbledon Early Rounds Day 5 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

 

Saturday, June 25
7 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Early Rounds Day 6 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com - LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Sunday, June 26
NBC Wimbledon
5 – 8 p.m.: Week One Highlights – ESPN2 – Taped
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
11 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Monday, June 27
7 – 10 a.m.: Round of 16 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
1 – 6 p.m.: Round of 16 – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
12 a.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Tuesday, June 28
7 – 10 a.m.: Ladies’ Quarterfinals – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
1 – 5 p.m.: Ladies’ Quarterfinals – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
12 a.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Wednesday, June 29
7 – 10 a.m.: Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals –ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
1 – 5 p.m.: Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
7 p.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel
12 a.m.: Wimbledon Primetime – The Tennis Channel

Thursday, June 30
7 a.m. – Noon: Ladies’ Semifinals- ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
8 – 10 p.m.: Ladies’ Semifinals Highlights – EPSN2

Friday, July 1
7 a.m. – Noon: Gentlemen’s Semifinals – ESPN2 and ESPN3.com – LIVE
8 – 11 p.m.: Gentlemen’s Semifinals Highlights

Saturday, July 2
9 a.m. – Noon Women’s Final NBC
2 – 3 p.m.: SportsCenter at Wimbledon – ESPN2

Sunday, July 3
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Men’s Final NBC
2 – 3 p.m.: SportsCenter at Wimbledon – ESPN2

Monday, July 4
7 – 9 a.m.: Ladies’ Final – ESPN3D – Repeat
9 a.m. – Noon: Gentlemen’s Final – ESPN3D – Repeat
Noon – 3 p.m.: Gentlemen’s Semifinal #1 – ESPN3D – Repeat
3 – 6 p.m.: Gentlemen’s Semifinal #2 – ESPN3D – Repeat
6 – 8 p.m.: Ladies’ Final – ESPN3D – Repeat
8 – 11 p.m.: Gentlemen’s Final – ESPN3D – Repeat

(All times Eastern)

More information on ESPN and Tennis Channel Coverage:

ESPN To Provide Wimbledon Coverage Over Multiple Platforms


Tennis Channel’s Wimbledon Coverage

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ESPN to Present the French Open Across Multi-Platforms

The best players in tennis will gather on the red clay of Paris for the second Grand Slam tournament of the year – Roland Garros, the 2011 French Open – beginning on ESPN2 HD when the event begins on Sunday, May 22.  The network will present more than 56 hours, all in high definition, culminating with the women’s semifinals live Thursday, June 2.  In addition, ESPN3.com will have nearly 350 hours of exclusive a multi-court offering, also starting May 22, including simulcasts of ESPN2’s telecasts.

 

ESPN networks present all four Grand Slam events and have televised the French Open 1986 – 1993 and since 2002.  ESPN3.com delivers unmatched broadband coverage of the sport’s four majors and all ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments.

 

Both sides of the draw present intriguing storylines.  Defending and five-time champ Rafael Nadal is the top-ranked male, but this year has lost four finals – including two on clay the last two weeks – to No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who rides a 37-0 record for 2011 into Paris.  On the women’s side, world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki seeks her first major title, and may have to seek revenge against Maria Sharapova who beat her en route to winning the championship last week in Rome.

 

After the opening day, ESPN2’s schedule will continue Tuesday, May 24 – Friday, May 27, and resume on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, and continue to June 2.  ESPN2 will generally begin each day at noon – directly following Tennis Channel’s morning programming – and continue until 6:30 p.m., except for June 2 with the women’s semifinals starting at 8 a.m. ET.  (See schedule below.)  All the action on ESPN2 is also available online through ESPNnetworks.com, which is accessible to fans who receive their video service from an affiliated provider.

 

In addition, ESPN Deportes, the Spanish-language U.S. sports network, will televise 18 hours from Paris starting Tuesday, May 24, and culminating with the women’s semifinals live Thursday, June 2.  Luis Alfredo Alvarez, Toni Pena, Eduardo Varela and Jose Luis Clerc will call the matches, which will be chosen specifically for the network’s audience

 

Cliff Drysdale, the dean of ESPN’s tennis team, will be joined by Darren Cahill, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver.  Chris Fowler will host and call matches.  Chris McKendry will also return as an on-site host.

 

For the fifth consecutive year, ESPN2 is working with Tennis Channel to bring viewers an almost around-the-clock tournament experience, with each channel cross-promoting the other’s schedule.  Tennis Channel will produce all coverage for both channels, with each making use of its own on-air team.

 

ESPN3.com

ESPN3.com has increased its French Open coverage for 2011 to nearly 350 hours with a multi-screen offering of up to seven courts and ESPN2’s coverage on the days the network is televising.  ESPN3.com will begin each day early in the morning with the first ball in the air and continue to the last shot of the day.  Matches will also be available after they take place via VOD.  The same service –called ESPN360.com – is also available in Latin America with the same programming as in the U.S. with Spanish commentary.

 

ESPN3.com is ESPN’s live sports broadband network, a 24/7 online destination that delivers thousands of live, global sports events annually. It is currently available in nearly 70 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or cable TV video subscription from an affiliated service provider.  It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

Other ESPN Platforms

Fans will have a variety of ways to follow the French Open with live action and updates on an array of ESPN platforms wherever they are and regardless of whether there is live television offered.

ESPN’s SportsCenter – in particular the live editions from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET – will follow the action closely with frequent updates, highlights and reports from Paris, which will include live look-ins during SportsCenter when ESPN2 is on the air.

 

ESPN.com will provide comprehensive coverage before, during and after the French Open, highlighted by an enhanced Courtcast section – real-time scoring from all courts, plus continuous live polling with results revealed immediately in ESPN2’s telecasts.  In addition to all the results, news, analysis, schedules and more, ESPN.com will provide live blogging throughout the tournament so fans can follow the action even when there is no live television coverage.  Also, fans can watch Digital Serve daily with ESPN2 commentators discussing the latest action and previewing key matches on the days ESPN2 is on the air.  Other details:

·         The Latest Dirt – a daily notebook roundup of all the day’s action;

·         Center Court – a tennis video show featured each week on all the major news from Roland Garros;

·         Star Watch – a blog that will peruse the grounds and give fans an inside look at what the top players are up to.

 

ESPN Interactive TV, exclusive to DIRECTV, will present the French Open showing ESPN2 or Tennis Channel’s live coverage along with five other courts available with commentary.  Other features include interactive data, the tournament draw, up-to-date scores, and daily order of play.

 

ESPN Mobile TV, a 24/7 channel for wireless on AT&T U-Verse Live TV, Sprint TV, T-Mobile TV, and MobiTV platforms, will provide 53 hours of live coverage, simulcasting most of ESPN2’s live programming, highlighted by the women’s semifinals Thursday, June 2.

The WatchESPN App, for fans with Apple or Android devices and who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription via Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks or Verizon FiOS TV, will present ESPN2’s live coverage, in addition to ESPN3.com’s multi-screen offering.

 

ESPN International will present up to 130 hours of the French Open to more than 60 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean on a variety of regional networks.  Matches will be chosen based on local interest and commentary will be offered in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

2011 French Open on ESPN2 & ESPN2 HD

Date Time (ET) Event
Sun, May 22 1 – 6:30 p.m. First Round Live & Same-day action
Tue, May 24 Noon – 6:30 p.m. First Round Live & Same-day action
Wed, May 25 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Thur, May 26 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Fri, May 27 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Third Round Live & Same-day action
Mon, May 30 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Round of 16 Live & Same-day action
Tue, May 31 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Wed, June 1 Noon – 6:30 p.m. Men’s Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Thur, June 2 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Women’s Semifinals Live

 

2011 French Open on ESPN3.com

Date Time (ET) Event
Sun, May 22 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. First Round Live & Same-day action
Tue, May 24 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. First Round Live & Same-day action
Wed, May 25 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Thur, May 26 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Fri, May 27 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Third Round Live & Same-day action
Mon, May 30 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Round of 16 Live & Same-day action
Tue, May 31 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Wed, June 1 5 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Men’s Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Thur, June 2 5 a.m. – 3 p.m. Women’s Semifinals Live

 

2011 French Open on ESPN Deportes

Date Time (ET) Event
Tue, May 24 Noon – 2 p.m. First Round Live & Same-day action
Wed, May 25 Noon – 2 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Thur, May 26 Noon – 2 p.m. Second Round Live & Same-day action
Fri, May 27 Noon – 2 p.m. Third Round Live & Same-day action
Mon, May 30 Noon – 2 p.m. Round of 16 Live & Same-day action
Tue, May 31 Noon – 2 p.m. Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Wed, June 1 Noon – 2 p.m. Men’s Quarterfinals Live & Same-day action
Thur, June 2 8 a.m. – 12 noon Women’s Semifinals Live

 

 

 

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CBS, ESPN2 and Tennis Channel To Broadcast Sony Ericsson Open

MIAMI, Fla. (www.sonyericssonopen.com) – The Sony Ericsson Open, one of the largest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, has announced that ESPN2 will join Tennis Channel and CBS this year in broadcasting an event-record 77 hours of domestic coverage of the 2011 tournament.

 

Broadcast coverage begins March 26 on Tennis Channel and moves over to ESPN2 beginning March 30; both the women’s and men’s final will broadcast live on CBS April 2 and April 3, respectively (complete schedule below).

 

Tennis Channel will kick-off coverage with a 13-hour live broadcast of both men’s second round and women’s third round matches on Saturday, March 26 beginning at 11:00 a.m.

 

ESPN2 will begin its coverage Wednesday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. with eight total hours of live action. ESPN2′s broadcast will conclude Friday, April 1 with live coverage of both men’s semi-final matches. The first semi-final match will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the nightcap starting at 7:00 p.m.

 

CBS will broadcast live coverage of the women’s final on Saturday, April 2 at 12:30 pm, and the men’s final on Sunday, April 3, at 1:00 pm.

 

Close to 2,400 hours of Sony Ericsson Open matches were broadcast worldwide last year to more than 153 million viewers.

 

To see all the action in person, tickets to the Sony Ericsson Open are on sale now and can be purchased by phone (305-442-3367) or via the internet at www.sonyericssonopen.com.

 

2011 Domestic Broadcast Schedule

Day/Date Time (ES) Station Type
Saturday, March 26 11:00 am – 12:00 am TC Live
Sunday, March 27 11:00 am – 11:30 pm TC Live
Monday, March 28 11:00 am – 11:30 pm TC Live
Tuesday, March 29 11:00 am – 11:30 pm TC Live
Wednesday, March 30 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ESPN2 Live
  7:00 pm – 11:00 pm ESPN2 Live
Thursday, March 31 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ESPN2 Live
  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm TC Live
  11:00 pm – 1:00 am ESPN2 Delayed
Friday, April 1 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm ESPN2 Live
  7:00 pm – 9:00 pm ESPN2 Live
Saturday, April 2 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm CBS Live
  3:00 pm – 4:30 pm TC Live
Sunday, April 3 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm CBS Live

 

Tennis Channel: 54 hours / ESPN2: 18 hours / CBS: 5.0 hours / Total Hours: 77.0 hours

 

ABOUT THE SONY ERICSSON OPEN: The 2011 Sony Ericsson Open will be played March 21-April 3 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG and is widely regarded as the most glamorous event on the ATP and WTA Tours drawing over 300,000 guests each year including the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports. The Sony Ericsson Open is one of nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 series events and a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA Tour, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world including defending champions Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters.  For ticket information, call (305) 442-3367 or visit the website at http://www.SonyEricssonOpen.com.

 

ABOUT SONY ERICSSON: Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture by Sony and Ericsson established in October 2001, with global corporate functions located in London and operations in all major markets.  Our vision is to become the industry leader in Communication Entertainment; where new styles of communicating through the internet and social media, become entertainment.  Sony Ericsson offers exciting consumer experiences through phones, accessories, content and applications, for more information please visit: www.sonyericsson.com.  Sony Ericsson is the lead sponsor of the Women’s Tennis Association, and works with the Association to promote the WTA Tour in over 80 cities during the year. For more information, please visit www.sonyericssonwtatour.com.

 
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Australian Open Schedules for Tennis Channel, ESPN2 and ESPN3.com

DATE ROUND TIME (all ET US) NETWORK
Sunday, Jan. 16 Early-round play 6:30 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live) ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Monday, Jan. 17 Early-round play 3-8 a.m. (Live)
3p.m.-6 p.m.
9 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Monday, Jan. 17 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Aus Today)
7pm – 9p.m. (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Tuesday, Jan. 18 Early-round play 3-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
9 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Tuesday, Jan. 18 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Aus Today)
7pm – 9p.m. (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Wednesday, Jan. 19 Early-round play 3-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
11 p.m.-3 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Wednesday, Jan. 19 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Aus Today)
7pm – 11p.m. (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Thursday, Jan. 20 Early-round play 3-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
11p.m.-3 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Thursday, Jan. 20 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Aus Today)
7pm – 9p.m. (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Friday, Jan. 21 Early-round play 3-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
9p.m.- 3a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Friday, Jan. 21 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Aus Today)
7pm – 9p.m. (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Saturday, Jan. 22 Early-round play 3-7:30 a.m. (Live)
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
9 p.m.-3:00 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Saturday, Jan. 22 Early-round play & Australian Open Today 1pm -7pm (Aus Today)
7pm – 9pm (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Sunday, Jan. 23 Early round/Round of 16 3-8 a.m. (Live)
1pm-5 p.m.
7pm-3a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Sunday, Jan. 23 Early round/Round of 16 & Australian Open Today 8 am-1pm (Aus Today)
5pm – 7pm (Aus Today)		 Tennis Channel
Monday, Jan. 24 Round of 16/Quarterfinals 3:30-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
9 p.m.-2a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Monday, Jan. 24 Round of 16/Quarterfinals & Australian Open Today 8 am-2 pm (Aus Today)
7pm – 9pm (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Quarterfinals 3:30-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
7 p.m.-2 a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Quarterfinals & Australian Open Today 8 am-2 pm (Aus Today) Tennis Channel
Wednesday, Jan. 26 Quarters/Women’s semis 3:30-8 a.m. (Live)
3-7 p.m.
9:30 p.m.-2a.m. (Live)		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Wednesday, Jan. 26 Quarterfinals/Men’s Doubles Semis & Australian Open Today 8 am-2 pm (Aus Today)
7pm – 9:30pm (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Thursday, Jan. 27 Men’s Semis 3:30-6 a.m. (Live)
3-6 p.m.		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Thursday, Jan. 27 Semifinals/Women’s Doubles Final & Australian Open Today 6am-2pm (Aus Today)
6pm – 9pm
9pm – 11pm
11pm – 1am (Live)		 Tennis Channel
Friday, Jan. 28 Men’s Semis/Women’s Final 3:30-6 a.m. (Live)
3-6 p.m.		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Friday, Jan. 28 Women’s Final/ Men’s Semifinals/Men’s Doubles Final & Australian Open Today 1am – 3am
6am-2pm (Aus Today)
6pm – 9pm
9pm – 11pm
11pm – 2am		 Tennis Channel
Saturday, Jan. 29 Women’s Final 3:30-5:30 a.m. (Live)
8-10 a.m.
10p.m.-12a.m.		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Saturday, Jan. 29 Women’s Final/Men’s Semifinals/Men’s Doubles Final (LIVE) 5:30-7:30 a.m. (Live)
7:30am -9am
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
1pm – 8pm
8pm – 10pm		 Tennis Channel
Sunday, Jan. 30 Men’s Final 3:30-6:30 a.m. (Live)
10am-2 pm
7pm – 8pm		 ESPN2

ESPN3.com
Sunday, Jan. 30 Mixed Doubles Final/Men’s Final/Women’s Final 12:30am-2:30 a.m. (Live)
7 am-9am
2pm – 5pm
5pm-7pm
10pm -1am		 Tennis Channel
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Two-Week Australian Open Coverage Begins Sunday on ESPN2


Tennis’ first Grand Slam of the year will again keep fans up late for the action down under as ESPN2 HD and ESPN3.com again present live daily marathons of late-night action from Australian Open 2011 presented by Franklin Templeton Investments from Melbourne, starting Sunday, Jan. 16.  ESPN2 has a record schedule of 124 live hours, plus nearly 50 additional in afternoon reairs, the most in ESPN’s 27-year history with the event.  Broadband ESPN3.com will offer 600 hours, all live, with users choosing between action on seven courts with all matches available on-demand after completion.

Play begins with the first match of the tournament on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. ET and will continue through the women’s and men’s finals live in the early hours of Saturday, Jan. 29, and Sunday, Jan. 30, (very late on Friday and Saturday nights, respectively).  In addition, ESPN’s SportsCenter will provide live look-ins to the action during the 11 p.m. and late-night editions.  ESPN has televised the Australian Open since 1984 (there was no event in 1986), the French Open since 2002 (and 1986 – 1993), Wimbledon since 2003 and the US Open since 2009.

ESPN2’s telecasts will be enlivened by use of SpiderCam, an aerial camera which the network debuted at a Grand Slam tennis event last year at the US Open. Suspended by four thin Kevlar ropes connected to large winches via pulleys high above the court surface on light poles at the four corners of the arena, it moves in three dimensions.  It can be lowered to one meter off the court or raised to 33 meters high, from beyond one end of the court to the other and from side to side.  The camera can pan, tilt, zoom and focus, with the images sent via fiber optics wiring within the Kevlar roping.  It is used to take the viewer closer to the action and the athletes for walk-ons, changeovers, coin tosses, ceremonies and post-match interviews, as well as replays and even live action to advance the viewers’ understanding of the game.

New Agreement Begins Next Year

Last September, ESPN, Inc. and Tennis Australia reached a new 10-year extension that begins in 2012 and extends to 2021 of ESPN’s multimedia coverage of the Australian Open.  Having televised the Australian Open – including the women’s and men’s semifinals and finals exclusively – since 1984, this is ESPN’s longest uninterrupted professional sports programming relationship.

The new agreement includes all ESPN platforms.  It continues the extensive ESPN2 television coverage, Spanish-language U.S. rights for ESPN Deportes and distribution in Latin America via ESPN International (2012-16).  It also includes expanded rights for ESPN3.com, iTV (interactive television), and highlights on ESPN.com and other emerging and digital media, including ESPN Mobile TV.

TV:  IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

Cliff Drysdale – who has been with ESPN since its first tennis telecast in 1979 – and sportscasting legend Dick Enberg lead the ESPN2 team.  Chris Fowler will again host and call select matches, with Chris McKendry also hosting.  Darren Cahill, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert and Patrick McEnroe return as analysts, as does Pam Shriver, who will primarily serve as a courtside and studio reporter.  Tom Rinaldi will contribute features, news and interviews during event coverage and on SportsCenter.

ESPN2’s Australian Open programming will generally consist of live action in the evening continuing uninterrupted for 10 or more hours until the next morning for the first eight days of the tournament (leading to memorable marathons, see “Great Moments” below), plus at least three hours of same-day action the next weekday afternoon at 3 p.m.  The tournament is part of ESPN’s ongoing Grand Slam alliance with Tennis Channel, which offers audiences a near round-the-clock tournament experience at tennis’ major events.  ESPN is producing all Australian Open coverage for both networks, which will cross-promote each other with each channel utilizing its own commentators.

ESPN Interactive TV, seen on DIRECTV and ESPN3.com, will present the Australian Open with a six-screen “mix channel.”  For eight hours per night during the first eight days of the tournament, viewers will be able to watch the ESPN2 feed or one of five other courts, all with commentary.  Features include interactive data, the tournament draw, up-to-date scores, and daily order of play.  Additions for 2011 include custom graphics within the individual channels and a host studio.

ESPN VOD (Video On Demand) will offer a variety of programming before, during and after the 2010 Australian Open, starting with the 2011 Australian Open Preview Show.  Highlights of past finals are available through February 15 (men’s from 1995, 2009, and 2010 and women’s from 2010).  A recap of each of this year’s Women’s and Men’s Finals will also be offered through February 15.

ESPN International will deliver to the pan-regional ESPN networks in Latin America (including the HD networks) over 100 hours of coverage, showcasing the biggest names in tennis and players of local relevance. ESPN+ and ESPN Brazil will air approximately 30 hours of live complementary coverage in primetime throughout the early rounds.

ESPN Classic will allow fans to relive memorable Australian Open matches from the past as well as interview shows and other tennis programming.  A highlight is three matches that all took place on January 26 – in 1991, 1996 and 2001 – which will be replayed Wed., Jan. 26: Monica Seles’ first and fourth Australian Open titles (1991 and 1996), and Jennifer Capriati’s first Grand Slam title (2001).  See schedule below.

Date Time (ET) Event/Show
Tue, Jan 11 1 a.m. 1994 Men’s Final: Pete Sampras defeats Todd Martin
3 a.m. 1989 Women’s Final: Steffi Graf defeats Helena Sukova, a fifth straight Grand Slam title
8 a.m. Schaap One on One: Billie Jean King
8:30 a.m. Firestone Chats: Connors, McEnroe, King & Ashe
9 a.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame Anna Kournikova for Never Winning a WTA Singles Title
9:30 a.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame John McEnroe for his Repeated Outbursts
10 a.m. Homecoming with Rick Reilly: Billie Jean King
11 a.m. SportsCentury: Zina Garrison
8 p.m. 1995 Men’s Final: Andre Agassi outlasts Pete Sampras
10 p.m. 2002 Women’s Final: Jennifer Capriati saves four match points to defeat Martina Hingis 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2
Wed, Jan 12 12 a.m. 1988 Women’s Final: Steffi Graf beats Chris Evert
2 a.m. 1991 Men’s Final: Boris Becker loses a set 1-6 but beats Ivan Lendl
8 a.m. Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova, part one
8:30 a.m. Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova, part two
8 p.m. 2003 Men’s Quarterfinal: Andy Roddick survives a marathon against Younes El Ayanoui 4-6, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-4, 21-19
Thur, Jan 13 1 a.m. 1992 Men’s Final: Jim Courier tops Stefan Edberg in four sets
3 a.m. 1991 Women’s Final: Monica Seles wins her first title downunder, over Jana Novotna
8 a.m. Up Close Classics: Jimmy Connors
8:30 a.m. Up Close Classics: Arthur Ashe
8 p.m. 2005 Men’s Semifinal: Marat Safin upsets Roger Federer 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 9-7
Thur, Jan 14 1 a.m. 2000 Men’s Semifinal: Agassi wins a classic over Sampras 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (0), 7-6 (5), 6-1
8 a.m. 2009 Men’s Semifinals: Rafael Nadal takes an epic five-hour match over Fernando Verdasco  , 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4
1 p.m. 2009 Men’s Final: Nadal survives a second straight marathon, defeating Federer for the title 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2
6 p.m. 2010 Women’s Final: Serena Williams ties Billie Jean King’s record for major titles with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 win over Justine Henin
10 p.m. 2003 Women’s Final: Serena takes the title from her sister Venus 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-4
Wed, Jan 26 10 a.m. 1996 Women’s Final: Monica Seles triumphs in return from stabbing to defeat Anke Huber for her fourth Australian Open championship, on Jan. 26, 1996
1:30 p.m. 2001 Women’s Final: Jennifer Capriati upsets top-seeded Martina Hingis for her first Grand Slam title
7 p.m. 1991 Women’s Final: Monica Seles wins her first title downunder, over Jana Novotna

DIGITAL MEDIA, AT HOME AND ABROAD

ESPN3.com will again provide broadband coverage of no fewer than seven live feeds (including a simulcast of ESPN2’s live coverage) from various courts – including the women’s and men’s semifinals and finals – totaling 600 hours.  For the first 10 days (Sun., Jan. 16 – Tues., Jan. 25), coverage will commence at 7 p.m. (11 a.m. in Melbourne, when play begins) and continue for at least seven hours.  The courts to be included are the “TV courts,” the ones most likely to have top matches:  Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena, Margaret Court Arena, plus Courts 2, 3, 6 and 8.  For the remainder of the tournament, ESPN3.com will continue the ESPN2 simulcast, including the women’s (Jan. 28) and men’s (Jan. 29) finals, plus exclusive coverage of select men’s, women’s and mixed doubles play and the boys’ and girls’ finals.

Each window also will be available for on-demand replay following completion.  With ESPN3.com’s dynamic interface, fans will be able to fast-forward, rewind and pause action – during on-demand replay and live action.

ESPN3.com is ESPN’s live sports broadband network, a 24/7 online destination that delivers thousands of live, global sports events annually.  It is available at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection from an affiliated service provider.  ESPN3.com is available in more than 65 million homes via dozens of Internet and cable TV service providers nationwide, including Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Cox, Charter, RCN, Insight, Frontier, Cavalier, Mediacom, Conway, Grande Communications and many more. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

ESPN.com will once again feature Slam Central, an aggregation of all the day’s top news, analysis, blogs and video, as well as a daily Digital Serve video segment with commentators in Melbourne discussing the the results.  The Pulse, a cutting-edge application with real-time scoring, Hawk-Eye technology, live statistical breakdowns of every match, a rolling Twitter feed, Cover It Live analysis and interactive poll questions, will be a daily staple.  News and analysis from contributors Ravi Ubha and Tennis.com writers will add to the depth of coverage.  During the second week of play, the staff will interact with fans via live blogging.

ESPNdeportes.com will have the following content:  A daily webisode called “ESPiaNdo el Australian Open” with Eduardo Varela; an “applet” featuring real-time, point-by-point scoring of all matches; live scores, results and brackets; columns, chats and blogs by TV commentators and other writers; polls; the “Ask ESPN” feature, prompting users to send their comments/questions via the website; video clips with highlights of daily action and analysis; TV scheduling information, and photo galleries.

ESPN International’s ESPN Play (ESPN 360 in Brazil) broadband service in Latin America will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the year’s first Grand Slam, airing over 600 hours of live tennis from every available televised court, including the men’s & women’s quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, all live. This streaming action will be available in over two million homes in 12 countries throughout Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama).

ESPN Mobile TV, a 24/7 channel for wireless, will provide 140 hours of live and simulcast coverage with ESPN2′s programming schedule.

ESPN – All Four Slams, All In One Place

Tennis has been part of ESPN since its first week on the air and provided many memorable moments, but it has never been as important as today, with the US Open joining the lineup in 2009, giving ESPN all four Grand Slam events, something no other U.S. network has ever done, let alone in one year. ESPN has presented the Australian Open since 1984, the French Open since 2002 (plus 1986 – 1993), and Wimbledon since 2003.

ESPN debuted September 7, 1979, and the first tennis telecast was exactly one week later, September 14, a Davis Cup tie, Argentina at U.S. from Memphis with Cliff Drysdale on the call and John McEnroe playing.

Almost all the tennis is found on ESPN2, giving the network the identity as the destination for tennis fans and giving the sport a home that is flexible enough to carry extensive live programming – and adding to the schedule as storylines dictate.  In addition, broadband network ESPN3.com, now in 65 million homes, carries thousands of hours of tennis annually, including all four Grand Slam events, plus ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments, usually with additional, exclusive matches.  Also, ESPN Classic shows great matches from the past and the sport receives extensive coverage on SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, Spanish-language ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

Great Moments Down Under on ESPN Networks

·         Helena Sukova upsets Martina Navratilova 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the 1984 Australian Open semifinals, ending Navratilova’s record 74-match win streak and thwarting her attempt at a seventh consecutive Grand Slam title.

·         Andy Roddick’s epic 21-19 fifth set vs. Younes el-Aynaoui in the 2003 Australian Open quarterfinals.

·         ESPN2 airs the 2008 Australian Open live through two scheduled breaks, resulting in 14 hours, 43 minutes of consecutive live tennis (Friday at 9:54 p.m. – Saturday 12:37 p.m.), no doubt the longest live sports telecast in U.S. history.  It was followed by a scheduled reair until 5 p.m., resulting in 19+ straight hours of tennis.  The action was highlighted by three five-set matches:  James Blake 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6, 6-2 over Sebastien Grosjean; Roger Federer outlasting Janko Tipsarevic 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1, 10-8; and Lleyton Hewitt over Marcos Baghdatis 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3 (ended at 4:32 a.m. in Melbourne).  The fifth sets were aired commercial-free.

·         At the 2009 Australian Open men’s semifinals, top-seeded Rafael Nadal outlasts fellow Spaniard #14 Fernando Verdasco 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4, the longest match in tournament history (5:14).  Just 48 hours later, Nadal wins another five-setter, denying Federer a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2.


AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011 on ESPN2 HD

(For these charts, all times are Eastern, and each day “begins” at 6 a.m. ET.

Therefore, the listing for Sun., Jan. 16 at 3 a.m. ET is very late on Sunday night.)

Date Time (ET) Event
Sun, Jan 16 6:30 p.m. – 3 a.m. Early round play LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Mon, Jan 17 3 – 6 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 18 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 19 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
11 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Thur, Jan 20 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
11 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Fri, Jan 21 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 7:30 a.m. “ LIVE
Sat, Jan 22 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 3 a.m. “ LIVE
3 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Sun, Jan 23 1  – 5 p.m. “ Same-day
7 p.m. – 3 a.m. Round of 16 LIVE
3:30 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Mon, Jan 24 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
3:30 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Tue, Jan 25 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
7 p.m. – 2 a.m. “ LIVE
3:30 – 8 a.m. “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 26 3 – 7 p.m. “ Same-day
9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Women’s Semifinals LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 LIVE
Thurs, Jan 27 3 – 6 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 reair
3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 LIVE
Fri, Jan 28 3 – 6 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 reair
3 – 5:30 a.m. Women’s Final LIVE
Sat, Jan. 29 9 – 11 a.m. Women’s Final reair
10 p.m. – MID Women’s Final reair
3 – 6:30 a.m. Men’s Final LIVE
Sun, Jan 30 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Men’s Final reair
7 – 10 p.m. Men’s Final reair

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011 on ESPN3.com

Date Time (ET) Event
Sun, Jan 16 – 7 p.m. – 3 a.m. Early round play LIVE
Tue, Jan 25 3 – 8 a.m. – * “ LIVE
Wed, Jan 26 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. Quarterfinals LIVE
9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. Women’s Semifinals LIVE
3:30 – 6 a.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 LIVE
Thurs, Jan 27 11 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. W.Doubles Final / Mixed Doubles Semifinal LIVE
3:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 LIVE
Fri, Jan 28 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Boys’ and Girls’ Finals LIVE
Fri, Jan 28 3 – 5:30 a.m. Women’s Final LIVE
Sat, Jan. 29 12:30 – 2 a.m. Mixed Doubles Final LIVE
3 – 6:30 a.m.

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Notes from Inside the ESPN2 Australian Open Conference Call

This year will mark ESPN’s 26th year broadcasting the Australian Open. ESPN held a conference call with some of the tennis media on Tuesday afternoon. Taking questions on the call were commentators and former players Pam Shriver, Darren Cahill and ESPN production management including Len DeLuca Senior Vice President of programming and acquisitions and Jamie Reynolds Vice President of Event Production.

Pam Shriver commented on the Brisbane Women’s final last weekend, which produced a dramatic match between Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters where Clijsters saved two match points before outlasting Henin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) in a 2-hour, 24-minute contest.

“It is amazing to already have a match on the women’s side being talked about for both quality and drama like very few matches the women have had in the last couple ofyears,…maybe the Serena Williams- (Elena) Dementieva Wimbledon Semilast year. I’ve never seen a match like this, so early in the year,talked about for such great quality.”

Commenting further on theWTA Tour – ” I’ve found over the past few years the quality on Women’s tennis not good enough, not entertaining enough, too many unforced errors… (Clijsters and Henin) have added a huge boost, much needed.”

Brisbane proved that Justine Henin would “stick herself” right in the thick of things just two weeks before the Australian Open. “The Belgians put abig boost back into women’s tennis,” noted Shriver. “The boost is welcome and is going to set women’s  tennis back on fire.”

Cahill noted that having been in Brisbane for the tournament that Justine Henin does not look like a player who was off for 18 months. “She looked stronger in the legs, moving extremely well” said Cahill. Henin has made adjustments to her game – her forehand back swing has gotten shorter and she’s made adjustments to her serve.”

So how is going to Serena Williams deal with all of this?  “Leading in to the Aussie, she’s always been a little scratchy,” Cahill said. “This yearshe looks in good shape, looks as if she really put in a good off season.I think Henin’s return will force her and drive her to be better. From the looks of it, I think we will see the best of Serena at the Australian Open…she’s going to step up with the rise of these two Belgian girls again.”

As to the question of whom is likely o emerge down under, for Cahill his pick is Juan Martin Del Potro-”he’s the guy to watch out for,” says Cahill. As for the women his pick is Clijsters- “she’s come back a more relaxed better athlete….the rivalry with Justine will intensify her.”

Pam Shriver is watching Yanina Wickmayer “with an interesting eye” after having to deal with all of the “whereabouts” rule controversy. Shriver is looking at Marin Cilic to see if he can step up in a major similar to anotherbig man Juan Martin Del Potro.

The gap on the Federer-Nadal slam duopoly has closed with 5-6 players in the mix for slams says Cahill, but Federer goes into three of the four majors as a favorite. Nadal had some setbacks last year but Cahill  expects when Nadal’s game comes back “it will be back with a full force.”

In regard to the Serena Williams’ US Open incident, Shriver said of Serena, “she’s hadto pick up a massive tab,  you look at her 12 years, 13 years in the sport, it was by far her worst outburst…… I think it was a fair penalty.”

As far as the Australian Open is concerned Shriver says Serena is “fired up.” Cahill stated that after seeing her play Tuesday that “she looked like she was on a mission…she’ll take this challenge in the right way. I can see the best of Serena in 2010.”"It’s on in women’s tennis in 2010.”

Pam Shriver responded to her critics from social media to the New York Timesin regard to her on court interview with Melanie Oudin  at the US open after her loss to Wozniacki: “I am honored by the New York Times, I believe it was mostly as my role my as a sideline reporter and it was above the fold headlines about the work I was doing so, it was double-edged. It hurt a little bit but it’s being noticed.” She saidthat she approaches her interviews as she played  serve and volley -aggressively.

I asked Pam Shriver and Darren Cahill about who is flying under the radar going into the Australian and who could get to the second week of the tourney.

Pam Shriver: “Except for the odd mention of Sharapova, the Russians..we haven’t mentioned the Russians at all. As a group they are flying under the radar screen.  You have Kuznetsova,  Safina last year. the Australian Open was the beginning of  what marked just a total collapse  in the majors in just horrendous ways with her serve. Whether or not  she can come back and establish herself as a force, I think there are a lot of questions there. Every year since 04 they’ve played a pretty major part… I’m pretty curious to see how Sharapova’s year goes.

“Another person we haven’t really mentioned is Venus (Williams). She’s never really enjoyed the Australian, never played well down there and I’m not sure why. I feel that she should have it somewhere within her to have a good Australian Open, but it seems like every year she goes down and doesn’t play well because she hasn’t had enough matches.”

Darren Cahill: “the players I’m looking for, especially at the Australian open Victoria Azarenka, she’s got anew coach. Split from her coach last year after having a pretty good last couple of seasons. It will be interesting to see how she reacts to that. Great game, really imposing game. Could be a real interesting year for Victoria.”

“And on the men’s side, the window believe it or not is closing on Gael Monfils. I think that his game and his athleticism and the way he throws himself around the court and the injuries he’s sustained over the last 4 or 5 years. This guy has to step it up this year. He’s had some success in Grand Slams he’s made the semifinal of the French Open. The guy is an amazing talent, amazing athlete and he can pretty much do whatever he wants on a tennis court so I’m waiting for him to do something really special in a Grand Slam event and if he brings it all together for two week that’s going to be some scintillating tennis. It needs to be a big year for Gael.

For more information on ESPN2′s Australian Open schedule:

From ESPN : Two-Week Australian Open Begins Sunday; First Time in High Def


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