2013/05/22

2013 Fed Cup Coverage This Weekend on Tennis Channel

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(February 7, 2013) Tennis Channel will provide exclusive live coverage of the U.S. Fed Cup team’s first-round competition against Italy in Rimini, Italy, this weekend, with complete telecasts Saturday, Feb. 9, and Sunday, Feb. 10. The battle is a rematch of the 2010 Fed Cup championship, won by Italy. The contest will feature two singles matches on Saturday, and two singles matches and the doubles match Sunday. Tennis Channel will carry all matches live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday and 7:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

Coverage from 105 Stadium Rimini, Italy, is as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, Feb. 9:

9 a.m. – Live Singles #1

11 a.m. – Live Singles #2

Sunday, Feb. 10:

7:30 a.m. – Live Singles #3

9:30 a.m. – Live Singles #4

11:30 a.m. – Live Doubles

The United States and Italy have faced each other eleven times in Fed Cup play, with the Americans winning the first nine meetings. However, Italy has defeated the United States in recent years, with back-to-back victories in the 2009 and 2010 championship rounds. The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup championships, the most recent in 2000.

The 2013 U.S. Fed Cup team is captained for the fifth year by retired American tennis star Mary Joe Fernandez, who won the Fed Cup championship as a player in 1996. Melanie Oudin, will replace 2013 Australian Open semifinalist Sloane Stephens, who was forced to withdraw from the competition due to an abdominal injury. Fed Cup newcomer, Jamie Hampton enters this weekend’s matchup after an impressive third-round appearance at the Australian Open before losing to Azarenka. Varvara Lepchenko, who will also make her Fed Cup debut this weekend, had a breakout season last year when she reached the fourth round at the French Open and the third rounds at both Wimbledon and the US Open. Liezel Huber is currently the World No. 8 ranked doubles player, holding five Grand Slam doubles titles and winning the 2010 US Open mixed doubles title with Bob Bryan.

Italy, Fed Cup winner in 2006, 2009 and 2010, enters 2013 after losing to defending champions Czech Republic in last year’s semifinals. The Italian team is captained by Corrado Barazzutti and features World No. 7 Sara Errani, Roberta Vinci, Karin Knapp and Nastassja Burnett.

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Tennis Channel Issues US Open Coverage Schedule

From  Tennis Channel: In its third year of US Open coverage, Tennis Channel will add Mary Carillo to its on-air lineup, marking the Queens, N.Y., native’s first stint in the network’s broadcast booth at the Flushing Meadow-based largest event in tennis. Carillo, who made her Grand Slam debut for the channel during its French Open coverage in May, will interact with Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport and other returning talent throughout the network’s nearly 24-hour US Open “Grounds Pass” August 29 through September 11. During the two-week competition Tennis Channel will devote 236 hours of programming to the sport’s greatest annual spectacle, with 72 of them dedicated to live, on-court play, including prime-time windows Labor Day weekend.

 

Also new in 2011 is the addition of a sixth television court for tournament broadcasters to share with viewers. Court No. 17 (the number has no bearing on match rank or quality) joins Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand, Court No. 11 and Court No. 13 as the on-screen homes of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Tennis Channel’s live coverage begins Monday, Aug. 29, at 11 a.m. ET, and concludes Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. ET.

 

No network devotes as much time to Grand Slam analysis, and Tennis Channel’s US Open Tonight and Breakfast at the Open will return for this assignment again in 2011. Anchored by Davenport, who won the 1998 US Open singles title, and Kevin Frazier, host of the entertainment industry’s The Insider, the network’s news, interview and highlight shows run throughout the late night and morning, right up to the following day’s play. Sprinkled with late-night, early morning encore matches, the programs, along with Tennis Channel’s live-match coverage, give viewers seemingly unending access to the US Open.

 

Starting with the first match of the tournament Monday, Aug. 29, Tennis Channel’s typical day of coverage features live matches from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (all times ET). This is followed by US Open Tonight at 11 p.m., which alternates with encore matches throughout the late night and early morning. At 6 a.m. Breakfast at the Open introduces the coming day’s play and, save for a two-hour encore-match break at 8 a.m., runs up to the first match at 11 a.m. Labor Day weekend is the exception, when the network’s live window takes place from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“Grounds Pass”

Since its first year of televising the US Open, Tennis Channel has focused on giving viewers an immersive experience that can only be replicated with a trip to Flushing Meadow. Its “Grounds Pass” coverage returns in 2011, allowing audiences to feel the heat, excitement, energy, noise and passion of a late-summer day spent at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. During the first week, when activity is seemingly everywhere and the matches run deep into the night, the network’s “Tennis Channel Plaza” will be back on display. Gimelstob will again conduct interviews and interact with fans on the site just outside Arthur Ashe Stadium, along with Champion and other members of the on-air team. The network’s main set, the center point of its coverage, will be out in plain sight again on the second level of the stadium, with Robinson, Eagle and others in full view of tournament ticket holders. From here the viewers go wherever the action is most intense, whether at center court with Macatee or Navratilova or out roving amongst the fans as they take it all in.

Broadband and Digital Coverage

Tennis Channel’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, will shift its focus to the Big Apple during the two-week tournament, with live-match streaming, real-time scoring, schedules, draws and order of play. New to the online-video offerings this year will be American tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ video blog, in which the veteran US Open and Fed Cup competitor will share her unique perspective with the type of players’ lounge access that only comes when your name is in the main draw. Other video will include on-court highlights, behind-the-scenes features, interviews and on-air Court Report news segments. Reporters Steve Flink and Matt Cronin will write columns for the site during the US Open, as will Joel Drucker and humorist James LaRosa. Joining them will be official US Open hairstylist Julien Farel, who will author a blog on the network site for the first time in his years of styling the likes of Billie Jean King, Rafael Nadal and Mary Joe Fernandez.

 

Tennis Channel’s “Racquet Bracket” prediction game will allow online visitors to put their basic bracketology skills to the tennis test leading up to the competition again this year. The network also stays engaged with viewers via Facebook (www.facebook.com/tennischannel), Twitter (www.twitter.com/tennischannel) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/tennischannel).

 

 

Tennis Channel’s Live 2011 US Open Match Schedule

 

Date                                        Time (ET)                   Event                                     

Monday, Aug. 29                     11 a.m.-7 p.m.             First-Round Action

Tuesday, Aug. 30                     11 a.m.-7 p.m.             First-Round Action

Wednesday, Aug. 31                11 a.m.-7 p.m.             First-Round, Second-Round Action

Thursday, Sept. 1                     11 a.m.-7 p.m.             Second-Round Action

Friday, Sept. 2                         11 a.m.-7 p.m.             Second-Round, Third-Round Action

Saturday, Sept. 3                      7 p.m.-11 p.m.             Third-Round Action

Sunday, Sept. 4                        7 p.m.-11 p.m.            Third-Round, Fourth-Round Action

Tuesday, Sept. 6                      11 a.m.-7 p.m.             Fourth-Round Action, Doubles

Wednesday, Sept. 7                 11 a.m.-7 p.m.             Doubles Quarterfinals

Thursday, Sept. 8                     11 a.m.-7 p.m.             Doubles, Juniors, Wheelchair

 

Tennis Channel’s US Open Tonight, Breakfast at the Open Schedule

 

Highlight and interview show US Open Tonight will premiere at 11 p.m. ET every night of the US Open, Monday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Sept. 11. After its debut Tuesday, Aug. 30, sister-show Breakfast at the Open will run through the end of the tournament on Sunday, Sept. 11. The program will appear every morning at 6 a.m. ET, with the exception of an 11 a.m. ET start on Saturday, Sept. 10. The schedule is generally as follows (all times ET):

 

11 p.m.-12 a.m. – US Open Tonight

12 a.m.-1 a.m. – US Open Tonight

1 a.m.-3 a.m. – Encore Match

3 a.m.-4 a.m. – US Open Tonight

4 a.m.-6 a.m. – Encore Match

6 a.m.-7 a.m. – Breakfast at the Open

7 a.m.-8 a.m. – Breakfast at the Open

8 a.m.-10 a.m. – Encore Match

10 a.m.-11 a.m. – Breakfast at the Open

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ESPN Announces Multi-Platform Schedule for US Open

From ESPN:

ESPN’s multi-platform and worldwide coverage of tennis’ final Grand Slam event of the year, the US Open from New York August 29 – September 11 will include 100 hours in high definition on ESPN2 HD, 420 hours on ESPN3.com’s multi-court offering plus coverage across ESPN’s platforms in the U.S. and around the world.  The tournament will mark the ESPN US Open debut for Chris Evert, who joined ESPN this summer at Wimbledon.

Before play begins, ESPN will be home of the exclusive announcement of the men’s and women’s draw during SportsCenter on Thursday, Aug. 25, at noon.  Patrick McEnroe and Mary Joe Fernandez will discuss the pairings live from the National Tennis Center in New York with player interviews including defending champion Rafael Nadal.

 

During the first week of the tournament, ESPN2’s coverage will start at 1 p.m. each weekday and will continue nonstop for at least 10 hours through both the day and evening sessions.  The latter, Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM, will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. or when play is concluded, whichever is later. The second week, ESPN2 will have Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM at 7 p.m. on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 5, followed by day-long windows Tuesday – Thursday starting at 11 a.m. On Thursday, Sept. 8, the evening telecast will include a special doubles exhibition with actors Will Ferrell and Matthew Perry and Tennis Hall of Famers John McEnroe and Jim Courier.

 

All of ESPN2’s telecasts are also available online through ESPNnetworks.com, and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.  Both are accessible to fans who receive their video service from an affiliated provider.

 

While ESPN2 is on the air, SportsCenter will have the right to cut-in live for updates and key moments.  SportsCenter’s daytime edition is on ESPN until 3 p.m. with later editions from 6-7 p.m. and 11 p.m.-midnight.  On ESPNEWS, SportsCenter airs from 3-6 p.m. and 7-11 p.m.

 

On the final day of the tournament, Sunday, Sept. 11, ESPN2 will televise live the women’s doubles championship at 1 p.m., and will review all the action at 10 p.m. with a special two-hour edition of SportsCenter at the US Open.

 

ESPN2’s Commentator Lineup

The tennis line-up led by Cliff Drysdale, a former US Open finalist now includes Chris Evert.  Cliff has been with ESPN since its first tennis telecast September 14, 1979, exactly one week after the network launched, making him second in ESPN tenure among commentators behind only Bob Ley. Chris Fowler, ESPN’s lead studio anchor for Grand Slam tennis since 2003, will serve as a host and call matches. Mike Tirico of Monday Night Football, Hannah Storm and Chris McKendry will also serve as hosts.  John and Patrick McEnroe will again often be paired in the booth, and the rest of the ESPN tennis team returns:  Darren Cahill, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert and Pam Shriver.  In addition, Tom Rinaldi will contribute features and essays.

 

More US Open from ESPN, Inc.

ESPN3.com, the company’s live multi-screen sports network, will cover the action from six courts (up from five) beginning at 1 p.m. the first five days. ESPN3.com will also simulcast ESPN2 for the full tournament, select additional court coverage and a simulcast of the Women’s Doubles final for a total of approximately 420 hours of US Open tennis on the web.

 

ESPN3.com gives fans a 24/7 destination that delivers thousands of live, global sports events annually.  It is available in nearly 70 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or 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.  The network is also accessible on the go via the WatchESPN app and on ESPN on Xbox LIVE through an affiliated provider.

 

ESPN.com

  • Courtcast: A multi-tool application with all-court scoring, match stats, Cover It Live conversations, poll questions, rolling Twitter feeds and scrolling bottom line.
  • Center Court: A daily video review of the day’s best highlights and most notable results.
  • Digital Serve: Exclusive daily dotcom video segment previewing the next day’s action.
  • Slam Central: Home of all the best US Open content, including columns by Greg Garber, highlights and the latest results.
  • Open Notebook: An aggregation of what the latest happenings are on the grounds of Flushing Meadows. From interviews, latest results, and even vetting the food, fans will get a taste of everything.

 

ESPN Interactive TV will be presented on DIRECTV. During the ESPN2 telecast windows for the first five days, a six-screen mosaic will include the ESPN2 program, along with matches with commentary from five other courts. In total, viewers will have access to more than 435 hours of live tennis action and 140 extra matches.  Production will be enhanced with press conferences, interviews and features that will be added during court changeovers and between matches.  All six screens can be expanded to full screen or picture-in-picture at the touch of the remote button.  In addition, DIRECTV will offer “Matches On Now,” a graphic across the bottom with scores from each of the matches currently on the court channels, with the ability to tune directly to the match, and “Results,” an instant look at real-time scores and schedule info for matches ahead – all without leaving the match the viewer is watching.

 

ESPN Deportes, the multi-media Spanish-language U.S. initiative, will present live action during the first week of the US Open through its radio and online platforms.  ESPNdeportes.com will serve U.S. Hispanic fans featuring daily webisodes of “ESPiaNdo” with the latest news and information. In addition, the site will offer special daily reports, highlights from New York and updates on Twitter by Varela, Cortina, and Alvarez.  ESPN Deportes Radio will feature daily segments during the morning drive show Al Despertar.

 

ESPN International will offer over 170 hours of live coverage throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Latin America, coverage will be available in high definition. Coverage to Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America will be anchored by Luis Alvarez and Eduardo Varela with analysts Javier Frana and Jose Luis Clerc and reporters Nicolas Pereira, Carolina Guillen and Pablo Ferreira. Sam Gore and Mark Brown will handle English play-by-play with analysts Kathy Rinaldi and Jimmy Arias. Latin America’s ESPN Play will feature over 500 hours of live streaming coverage which will include up to six tennis courts in separate windows early on in the tournament. Additional Spanish content will be available on ESPN360.com, ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN Mobile, featuring daily webisodes of “ESPiaNdo” hosted by Varela, access to reports from New York and daily highlights

 

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.  Also, ESPN Mobile TV will carry 65 hours of live coverage.

 

ESPN Classic:  Great US Open Matches from the Past

Leading up to this year’s action, ESPN Classic will present great US Open matches from the past, highlighted by a 21-hour marathon starting late Thursday, Aug. 25 at midnight.  In addition, the morning the tournament starts Monday, Aug. 29, at 7 a.m. and leading directly into ESPN2’s live coverage at 1 p.m., ESPN Classic will air the most recent two men’s finals – Juan Martin Del Potro defeating Roger Federer in a dramatic five-setter in 2009 and Rafael Nadal beating Novak Djokovic for a career Grand Slam last year.

 

Of special note are showings of three noteworthy matches upon significant anniversaries:

  • the 1981 Men’s Final – 30 years ago – when John McEnroe defeated Bjorn Borg 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 for his third of four US Open titles Thurs., Aug. 25, at 1 a.m. (Wed., Aug. 24, at 10 p.m. PT).  Borg quickly left the court and played very few matches ever again, and never in a major.  The match will also be aired on Tuesday, Sept. 13, the exact 30th anniversary date, at 8 p.m.
  • also on its 30th anniversary, the 1981 Women’s Final will be presented Monday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m.  In a memorable match, Tracy Austin came from way back to defeat Martina Navratilova 1-6, 7-6, 7-6 for her second and last major championship before back injuries shortened her career.
  • A 10th anniversary look back at the 2001 Men’s Quarterfinal, in which no. 10 seed Pete Sampras edged no. 2 Andre Agassi in four sets, all of which went to a tiebreaker:  Fri., Aug. 26, at 1 p.m. (Thurs., Aug. 25 at 10 p.m. PT).

 

The ESPN Classic schedule:

 

Date Time (ET) Match
Thur, Aug 25 1-3 a.m. 1981 Men’s Final: John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg
  7-9 p.m. 1995 Men’s Final: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
  MID-1 a.m. 1979 Women’s Final: Tracy Austin vs. Chris Evert Lloyd
Fri, Aug 26 1-3:30 a.m. 2001 Men’s Quarterfinal: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
  3:30-5:30 a.m. 1989 Men’s Quarterfinal: Jimmy Connors vs. Andre Agassi
  5:30-8 a.m. 1982 Men’s Final:  Jimmy Connors vs. Ivan Lendl
  8-11 a.m. 1992 Men’s Semifinal: Stefan Edberg vs. Michael Chang
  11 a.m.-1 p.m. 1994 Men’s Final: Andre Agassi vs. Michael Stich
  1-3 p.m. 1995 Women’s Final: Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles
  3-5 p.m. 2004 Women’s Quarterfinal: Serena Williams vs. Jennifer Capriati
5-7 p.m. 1990 Men’s Final: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
7-9 p.m. 1995 Men’s Final: Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi
Mon, Aug 29 7-10 a.m. 2009 Men’s Final: Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Roger Federer
10 a.m.-1 p.m. 2010 Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic
Mon, Sept 12 8-10 p.m. 1981 Women’s Final: Tracy Austin vs. Martina Navratilova
Tue, Sept 13 8-10 p.m. 1981 Men’s Final: John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg

 

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.com, 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, 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.  ESPN 3D aired its first tennis at Wimbledon in 2011.

 

ESPN2 HD & the 2011 US Open

 

Date

Time (ET)

Event
Mon, Aug 29 1-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. First Round Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: First Round
Tues, Aug 30 1-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. First Round Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: First Round
Wed, Aug 31 1-7 p.m. Men’s First Round/Women’s Second Round
 Thur, Sept 1 7-11 p.m.1-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: First & Second RoundsSecond Round Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Second Round
Fri, Sept 2 1-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. Men’s Second Round/Women’s Third Round Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Second & Third Rounds  
Mon, Sept 5 7-11 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Round of 16
Tues, Sept 6 11 a.m.-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. Men’s Round of 16, Women’s QuarterfinalsPrimetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Women’s Quarterfinals
Wed, Sept 7 11 a.m.-7 p.m.7-11 p.m. QuarterfinalsPrimetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Quarterfinals
Thur, Sept 8 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Men’s Quarterfinals
  7-11 p.m. Primetime at the US Open presented by IBM: Men’s Quarterfinals
Sun, Sept 11 1-3 p.m. Women’s Doubles Final
10-MID p.m. SportsCenter at the US Open
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Filed Under: Front Page News, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: , ,

ESPN To Provide Wimbledon Coverage Over Multiple Platforms

ESPN is set to provide even more Wimbledon coverage in more ways than ever.  The sports network will add hours to its broadband, mobile and interactive TV offerings, the first tennis ever on ESPN 3D and the Wimbledon debut of the WatchESPN App.  Viewer will be able to see 100 hours in high definition on ESPN2 HD, and nearly 650 on broadband ESPN3.com beginning Monday, June 20, with daylong weekday coverage throughout the fortnight from the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.

 

Hall of Famer Chris Evert will make her ESPN debut at Wimbledon, joining returnees Cliff Drysdale and Dick Enberg, and analysts Darren Cahill, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver.  Chris Fowler will call matches and serve as studio host, sharing that role with Hannah Storm. Tom Rinaldi will provide essays and features.

ESPN networks have televised Wimbledon since 2003.

 

Live Matches on ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile & ESPN Interactive; ESPN 3D’s First Tennis

Fans will be able to follow the action live on a variety of ESPN platforms, depending on which screen best suits their needs – ESPN2, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile, the WatchESPN App and ESPN Interactive TV:

 

ESPN2 HD will begin daylong live weekday programming in high definition when the first ball goes into the air Monday, June 20, continuing daily through Friday, July 1.  The schedule is again highlighted by one Ladies’ and one Gentlemen’s Semifinal, Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, respectively.  In addition, ESPN2 will air a one-hour SportsCenter at Wimbledon following NBC’s coverage of the Ladies Championship on Sat., July 2, at 2 p.m. ET and following the Gentlemen’s Championship on Sun., July 3 at 3 p.m.

 

  • On Monday, June 27 – Wednesday, June 29, ESPN2 will provide SportsCenter as alternate programming in the Pacific Time Zone from 1 – 4 p.m. ET (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PT).

·         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.

 

ESPN3.com will provide a multi-court offering with live play, including a simulcast of ESPN2’s coverage, from all nine TV courts plus press conferences totaling nearly 650 hours.  In addition, the broadband service – which reaches nearly 70 million U.S. homes – will offer replays on demand of all four semifinals and both finals.  The semifinals will be available at 8 p.m. the day they are contested (or shown live if live on ESPN2); the finals will both be available beginning late Sunday, July 3, at midnight (9 p.m. PT).

 

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 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.

 

ESPN 3D, launched in 2010, will present its first tennis action with the Gentlemen’s Semifinals and both the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Finals.  The two semifinals will be presented on a same-day basis, Friday, July 1, at 8 p.m. and later that night at 1 a.m. (10 p.m. PT).  The Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Finals will be aired Monday, July 4, at 7 and 9 a.m., and repeated at 6 and 8 p.m.

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.  Also, ESPN Mobile TV will carry over 77 hours of live coverage including the Men’s and Women’s Semifinal rounds, more than double 2010’s offering.

 

ESPN Interactive TV will be enjoyed exclusively on DIRECTV and extended this year by a day to include the first seven days of competition, culminating on the second Monday.  The day, commonly referred to as “the best day in tennis” is when all singles participants — men and women – are in action in the round of 16.  A six-screen mosaic will include the ESPN2 match and feeds from five individual courts. Production will be enhanced with press conferences, interviews and features elements that will be added during court changeovers and between matches.  All six screens can be expanded to full screen mode or picture-in-picture at the touch of the remote button.  In addition, DIRECTV will offer “Matches On Now,” a graphic across the bottom of the screen with scores from each of the matches currently on the court channels, with the ability to tune directly to the match, and “Results,” an instant look at real-time scores and schedule info for matches ahead – all without leaving the match the viewer is watching. In total, ESPN will provide more than 350 hours of coverage that is exclusive to interactive TV.

 

More Wimbledon from ESPN, Inc.

ESPN.com will have previews, reviews, the latest news and videos and more:

·         Courtcast: A multi-tool application with all-court scoring, match stats, Cover It Live conversations, poll questions, rolling Twitter feeds and scrolling bottom line;

·         Slam Central: A daily destination for all Wimbledon fixtures;

·         Grass Stains: A daily notebook wrapping up the best and worst of the day;

·         Digital Serve: Daily original videos previewing the next day;

·         Skype Hype: Instant video analysis of notable matches with Greg Garber;

·         Star Watch: Daily blog focusing on one of the game’s elite.

 

ESPN Classic is presenting great Wimbledon matches and other tennis programming today, Monday, June 13,  through Friday, June 17, highlighted by:

·         Numerous championship matches, including Arthur Ashe defeating Jimmy Connors in 1975, Martina Navratilova beating Chris Evert in 1978 for the first of her nine titles, Bjorn Borg’s classic victory over John McEnroe in 1980, and two of the greatest matches in tennis history – Nadal over Federer with a 9-7 fifth set in 2008 and Federer defeating Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set in 2009.

·         On Thursday, June 16, fans can relive the longest tennis match in history, John Isner outlasting Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set in last year’s first round.  The 11:05 match which stretched across three days is condensed to nine hours, starting at 9 p.m.

·         Two airings of Unmatched, the documentary about the Evert-Navratilova rivalry and friendship, produced by ESPN’s Hannah Storm and part of the award-winning 30 for 30 series (late on Tuesday, June 14 at midnight and Friday, June 17 at 9 p.m.).

·         Tennis-related studio and interview programs such as Homecoming with Rick Reilly, Schaap One on One, SportsCentury, Up Close, Who’s #1? and Top Five Reasons.

 

In addition, on Monday, July 4, the 30th anniversary of the match, at 8 p.m. ESPN Classic will show the 1981 Gentlemen’s Final where John McEnroe ended Bjorn Borg’s historic streak of five consecutive championships.  The full schedule of 70 hours.

ESPN Mobile will provide point-by-point coverage of every Wimbledon match with live scores on the ESPN mobile Web and ScoreCenter app.  Additionally, the Wimbledon “Hot Corner” will bring fans closer to the action, supplying the latest news and analysis while giving fans the chance to interact with ESPN tennis experts  through live chats from the two-week event via mobile devices.  ESPN Alerts will notify fans across carriers of match results, in-progress upsets and Wimbledon news via opt-in tennis text alerts.

ESPN Deportes, ESPN’s Spanish-language network in the U.S. will televise live one men’s and one women’s semifinal on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, respectively, at 8 a.m. each day.  Commentary for ESPN Deportes, as well as ESPN International, will be handled by Luis Alfredo Alvarez and Eduardo Varela alongside former tennis players Javier Frana and Jose Luis Clerc as analysts.  Tennis reporter Gustavo Sgallo will report from Wimbledon for ESPN Deportes and ESPN International’s SportsCenter editions around the world.

 

ESPN International will reach 30 million viewers outside the U.S with 70+ live hours pan-regionally in Latin America on ESPN Latin America and on ESPN Caribbean, in addition to daily primetime highlight programs.  ESPN+ in the Southern Cone and ESPN Dos in the Northern Cone will supplement the coverage on ESPN Latin America with an additional 50+ live hours.  In addition, ESPN’s broadband service, ESPN Play, will offer over 600 hours of live coverage in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and Venezuela.

ESPN & WIMBLEDON 2011

Date

Time (ET)

Telecast

Network
Mon, June 20 –  

Fri., June 24

 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

 

 Early Rounds Day 1-5 Live ESPN2 & 

ESPN3.com

 
Sat, June 25 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Early Rounds Day 6 Live ESPN2
7 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

 

 Live ESPN3.com 

 
Sun, June 26 5 – 8 p.m. Week One Highlights Taped ESPN2 

 
Mon, June 27 7 – 10 a.m. Round of 16 Live ESPN2
1 – 6 p.m. – * 

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 

 Live 

Live

 ESPN2 

ESPN3.com

 
Tues, June 28 7 – 10 a.m. Ladies’ Quarterfinals Live ESPN2
1 – 5 p.m. – * 

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 Live 

Live

 ESPN2 

ESPN3.com

 
Wed, June 29 7 – 10 a.m. Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals Live ESPN2 & 

ESPN3.com
1 – 5 p.m. – * Live ESPN2 & 

ESPN3.com

 
Thur, June 30 7 a.m. – Noon 

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 Ladies’ Semifinal Live 

Live

 ESPN2 

ESPN3.com
8 – 10 p.m. Ladies’ Semifinals Highlights Same day ESPN2 

 
Fri, July 1 7 a.m. – Noon 

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

 Gentlemen’s Semifinal Live 

Live

 ESPN2 

ESPN3.com
 

 

 

Sat, July 2

Sun, July 3

Mon, July 4

 8 – 11 p.m. 

8 – 11 p.m..

1 – 4 a.m.

 

2 – 3 p.m.

 

3 – 4 p.m.

Midnight

 

7 – 9 a.m. – #

9 a.m. – Noon – #

Noon – 3 p.m. – #

3 – 6 p.m. – #

6 – 8 p.m. – #

8 – 11 p.m. – #

 Gentlemen’s Semifinals Highlights 

Gentlemen’s Semifinal #1

Gentlemen’s Semifinal #2

SportsCenter at Wimbledon

SportsCenter at Wimbledon

Ladies’ & Gentlemen’s Finals

Ladies’ Final

Gentlemen’s Final

Gentlemen’s Semifinal #1

Gentlemen’s Semifinal #2

Ladies’ Final

Gentlemen’s Final

 Same day 

Same day

Same day

 

Same day

 

Same day

Taped

 

Taped

Taped

Reair

Reair

Reair

Reair

 ESPN2 

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

 

ESPN2

 

ESPN2

ESPN3.com

 

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

ESPN 3D

* – Alternate programming from 1 – 4 p.m. ET in Pacific Time Zone (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PT)

# – All time slots on ESPN 3D on July 4 will expand as needed.

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Indian Wells & Miami Tennis Return to ESPN

With the top men and women players in the world – led by Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki – the BNP Paribas Open from Indian Wells, Calif., and the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami – return to ESPN this month.  Both events – the two biggest tennis tournaments in the world outside the majors – will enjoy extensive schedules on ESPN3.com, with action also on ESPN2 and the first tennis on ABC since 2003.

 

ESPN3.com will present 125 hours combined from the events, streaming live the world feed from the main court at each tournament (started March 12 at Indian Wells, starts March 26 in Miami).  ESPN3.com will offer more than 100 exclusive hours, and will simulcast ESPN2’s matches.

 

The TV schedule totals 30 hours:

Indian Wells – ESPN2 will air the men’s quarterfinals and women’s semifinals Friday, March 18 – with the men’s semifinals broadcast on ABC on Saturday, March 19, and the men’s and women’s finals on ABC on Sunday, March 20.

Miami – the quarterfinals and semifinals March 30 – April 1 on ESPN2.

All programming on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU is also available online through ESPNnetworks.com

 

In California, Cliff Drysdale will call the action on the women’s matches with Mary Joe Fernandez while Chris Fowler teams with Darren Cahill for men’s play.  Pam Shriver will serve as a courtside reporter on all matches.  In Florida, Drysdale and Fernandez will again be paired with Patrick McEnroe joining Fowler on men’s matches.  Brad Gilbert will be the sideline reporter.

 

ESPN2 last televised these hardcourt events in 2007, having aired each for many years, including the Florida tournament since 1985.  The events are two of the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments and are two of the four mandatory events on the WTA tour.

 

Top Players in Action

Nadal and Federer, ranked no. 1 and 2 in the world, will led a field that includes no. 3-5: Australian Open champ  Novak Djokovic, Robin Soderling and Andy Murray.  Wozniacki is the top-ranked women’s player, followed by Clijsters (winner of the last two Grand Slam events, the US and Australian Opens), Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur.

 

Date Time (ET) Telecast Network
 

BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, Calif.
Fri, March 18 4-6 p.m. 

11 p.m.-1 a.m.

 Women’s Semifinal #1 

Women’s Semifinal #2

 ESPN2 + ESPN3.com 

ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
Sat, March 19 2-6 p.m. Men’s Semifinals ABC
Sun, March 20 2-6 p.m. Men’s + Women’s Finals ABC
Sony Ericsson Open, Miami
Wed, March 30 1-5 p.m. Men’s + Women’s Quarterfinals ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
7-11 p.m. Men’s + Women’s Quarterfinals ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
Thur, March 31 1-5 p.m. Women’s Semi #1 + Men’s Q-final ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
11 p.m.-1 a.m. – * Women’s Semifinal #2 ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
Fri, April 1 1-3 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #1 ESPN2 + ESPN3.com
 

* - Sameday tape

 7-9 p.m. Men’s Semifinal #2 ESPN2 + ESPN3.com

 

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.

 

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“Hello Chris from Florida”

Tennis Channel aired No. 1 singles player Caroline Wozniacki’s third-round victory at the Australian Open Thursday night.  During the prime-time match, announcer Bill Macatee fielded a viewer text question from a “Chris in Florida,” who wondered if the top-ranked Danish player “feels like the No. 1 player in the world, never having won a Grand Slam?”

Sideline reporter Lindsay Davenport, herself a former No. 1 (first time: Oct. 12, 1998), chimed in with, “That wouldn’t be the Chris from Florida who is a Grand Slam winner herself, would it?”

Turns out it was: former No. 1 Chris Evert (Nov. 3, 1975), who was watching the match on television at home.

In the booth next to Macatee, lead analyst and former No. 1 Martina Navratilova (July 10, 1978) agreed that Chris’ point has become an issue for Wozniacki because she is starting to get asked about it more and more.  As for Davenport, she admitted that upon reclaiming the top ranking at one point in her career she didn’t feel like No. 1 since she had not won a Slam in awhile.

Evert, Navratilova and Davenport all won Australian Open singles titles in their playing days.

Australian Open Coverage Schedules for Tennis Channel, ESPN2 and ESPN3.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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Tennis Channel Announces Australian Open Schedule; Davenport to Join Navratilova, Bill Macatee in Melbourne Coverage

Lindsay Davenport photo by Fred & Susan Mullane
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2011 -Tennis Channel has extended its on-air relationships with two stars who both got the most out of their time on the court: Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova and multi-Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Davenport.  The multiyear contracts come on the eve of the network’s fourth year of covering the Australian Open, tennis’ first major tournament of the season, beginning Monday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. ET.  The network has close to 30 hours of live match play lined up for the two-week competition, with 75 additional hours of daily morning show Australian Open Today.

Navratilova, who has been in Tennis Channel’s broadcast booth for every one of the network’s Grand Slam telecasts, will resume her role as lead commentator in Melbourne, again pairing with veteran sportscaster Bill Macatee as the action gets going Down Under.  The 59-time Grand Slam champion and winner of more singles titles than anyone in professional tennis will continue the role she has held with the channel since its first major, the 2007 French Open, covering all four Slams – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.

“It’s amazing to think about how far we’ve come since starting with just the French Open in 2007 to now covering all four Slams on Tennis Channel every year,” said Navratilova.  “It’s been wonderful working with Bill Macatee and the entire crew at these great events and I can’t wait to return to Melbourne and get started on the new Slam season.”

In 2011 Davenport will join the Australian Open team for the first time, tackling match analysis, appearing in feature material, roaming the tournament grounds, and handling sideline and interview duties.  She is a veteran of numerous network tournament telecasts in recent years, including her recurring role as host of US Open Tonight and Breakfast at the Open.  She has been a part of Tennis Channel’s broadcast team for the past three season-ending women’s championships and in 2010 provided on-site analysis at the French Open before appearing regularly at Olympus US Open Series events on the network during the summer.

She will significantly broaden her duties with the channel under her new agreement, appearing during coverage of all four Grand Slams, the Olympus US Open Series, Fed Cup and other competitions.  The former No. 1-ranked singles and doubles player will have an on-air presence throughout the year while lending her expertise online through blogs and Q&A’s on the network’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, and through other digital and social media platforms.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Tennis Channel during the past few years, and I’m excited to build on that relationship, starting with the Australian Open this month” said Davenport.  “I’m also really looking forward to interacting with our viewers through Tennis Channel’s Web site.  There are so many great stories taking place in tennis as we head into 2011.”

In all, Tennis Channel will cover close to 30 hours of live match play over the two weeks of this year’s Australian Open, from the first day of play through the singles quarterfinals, doubles championships and mixed-doubles final.  The network will again televise same-day encore coverage of the men’s and women’s singles semifinals and finals in prime time (ET), giving viewers close to 70 total hours of live and encore coverage.  In adding the men’s and women’s encore singles finals to its live doubles championship coverage, the channel will air all five Australian Open finals, as it has done each year since 2008, when it became the first American television network to carry every one of these events.

The network’s morning program Australian Open Today will show U.S. viewers what happened on the other side of the world while they were sleeping.  The daily, six-hour show will air at 8 a.m. ET most mornings (complete schedule follows) with encore and unseen matches, highlights, original features and more.  In all, Tennis Channel will air 75 hours of Australian Open Today during the tournament.

The tournament is part of Tennis Channel’s ongoing Grand Slam alliance with ESPN, 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.

Australian Open On-Air Talent

Bill Macatee will handle lead play-by-play responsibilities in Tennis Channel’s Australian Open booth this year for the fourth-consecutive year, with Navratilova resuming her primary network Grand Slam analyst’s role.  Leif Shiras and Justin Gimelstob will also return to Melbourne, handling play-by-play and analysis roles, respectively, with Gimelstob handling occasional features as well.  Davenport, in her first year at the Australian Open for the channel, will round out the network’s on-air team.

Tennis Channel’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, will bring real-time scoring, video highlights, interviews and Australian Open Today features to online visitors this year.  There will also be blogs and columns from the network’s usual stable of writers – Steve Flink, Joel Drucker and James LaRosa – along with newcomer David Rosenberg, a longtime tennis-industry reporter.  In addition to the network’s interactive Australian Open draw, visitors can also enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 Australian Open and play its exclusive Racquet Bracket tournament prediction game, with a $1,000 prize package from Wilson Sports and Midwest Sports.

Tennis Channel’s Live Australian Open Match Schedule

Date                                        Time (ET)                   Event

Monday, Jan. 17                 7 p.m.-9 p.m.               First-Round

Tuesday, Jan. 18                7 p.m.-9 p.m.               Second-Round

Wednesday, Jan. 19           7 p.m.-11 p.m.            Second-Round

Thursday, Jan. 20              7 p.m.-11 p.m.             Third-Round

Friday, Jan. 21                     7 p.m.-9 p.m.                Third-Round

Saturday, Jan. 22                7 p.m.-9 p.m.               Round of 16

Monday, Jan. 24                   7 p.m.-9 p.m.               Women’s Quarterfinals

Wednesday, Jan. 26              7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.          TBA

Thursday, Jan. 27                 11 p.m.-1 a.m.             Women’s Doubles Final

Saturday, Jan. 29                   5:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m.      Men’s Doubles Final

Sunday, Jan. 30                      12:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m.    Mixed Doubles Final

Tennis Channel’s Australian Open Today Schedule

Australian Open Today airs Monday, Jan. 17-Friday, Jan. 28.  The program generally runs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. ET.  Exceptions are (all times ET):

Saturday, Jan. 22 – 1 p.m.-7 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 23 – 8 a.m.-1 p.m. (5 p.m.-7 p.m. encore)

Thursday, Jan. 27 – 6 a.m.-2 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 28 – 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tennis Channel (www.tennischannel.com) is the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle.  A hybrid of comprehensive sports, health, fitness, pop culture, entertainment, lifestyle and travel programming, the network is home to every aspect of the wide-ranging, worldwide tennis community.  It also has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television, with telecast rights to the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), Australian Open, Olympus US Open Series, ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events, top-tier WTA competitions, Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, and Hyundai Hopman Cup.  Tennis Channel is carried by nine of the top 10 MSOs, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-verse, DIRECTV and DISH Network.

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