2013/05/21

US Open Leaving CBS for ESPN in 2015

2011-US-Open-Tennis-Tournament

(May 16, 2013) ESPN will be the exclusive home in North and South America of the US Open beginning in 2015, in an agreement with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) which was announced on Thursday. With this 11-year agreement, ESPN now will air the championship in three of the four tennis majors.

 

ESPN has televised approximately100 hours of live US Open matches annually since 2009, and now will air 130+ hours with the addition of day-long coverage of the “middle weekend” – Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day Monday – plus both the men’s and women’s semifinals and finals. The new US Open schedule – previously announced to start in 2015 – places the women’s final on Saturday and the men’s on Sunday. This creates new prime-time telecasts of the women’s semifinals on the second Thursday and the men’s semifinals the following day, giving a day of rest to the two players before each final.

 

“Certain sporting events become synonymous with when they are held, and there is no better – or bigger – way to celebrate the end of summer than at the US Open in New York,” said John Skipper, ESPN president. “We look forward to capturing every match, every star, every championship and all the drama on this grand stage.”

 

Dave Haggerty, USTA Chairman of the Board and President, said, “This wide-ranging and broad relationship with ESPN positions tennis at the forefront of American sports. By teaming with the world-wide leader in sports, the USTA will continue to ensure that tennis at every level thrives in the United States.”

 

In addition to ESPN and ESPN2, all telecasts will be available on WatchESPN. In an expansion of offerings, over the term of the agreement ESPN will make every match on all 17 tournament courts available on ESPN3. Presently, six of the 17 courts have coverage. Also, ESPN3 will begin each day’s coverage the first Monday – Friday morning with two hours at 11 a.m. ET while SportsCenter on ESPN will have the right to do live cut-ins. ESPN3 is available via WatchESPN for fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription via Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV, Comcast Xfinity TV, Midcontinent Communications, Cablevision, Cox, Charter or AT&T U-verse.

 

ESPN will continue to be the home of the entire US Open in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN, as it has since 2002. The new agreement brings expanded rights and increased programming hours, as in the U.S. – both on the multiple linear TV channels throughout these regions and on digital platforms.

 

ESPN also will become the exclusive home to the Emirates Airline US Open Series with 72 hours of action in the five-week summer series leading to the US Open. In addition, ESPN will now present Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the music and tennis festival geared to families that serves as the unofficial kick off of the two-week tournament, on the weekend prior to the main draw tournament’s Monday start.

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Transcript of today’s conference call with USTA Chairman of the Board and President Dave Haggerty, USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith and ESPN President John Skipper, regarding today’s announcement that the USTA and ESPN have entered into an 11-year media partnership for the US Open and Emirates Airline US Open Series.

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SmashZone Mobile Tour to Kick Off in Pittsburgh on April 27

 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., April 23, 2013 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced the return of its SmashZone Mobile Tour which will hit the road for a 22-city tour to introduce youth tennis to kids and parents across the country. SmashZone began as the premier fan interactive attraction at the US Open before being showcased across the country. Since its inception in 2011, SmashZone has attracted more than 2 million people to its tennis courts. This spring marks the third year of the tour, which will kick off at Dick’s Sporting Goods at Robinson Centre in Pittsburgh on April 27.

 

SmashZone Mobile Tour introduces audiences to tennis in a fun and interactive way by making stops at fairs, festivals, airshows, retail environments and city centers. At SmashZone, children have the opportunity to play tennis games in a fun, festive atmosphere that allows participants to get active playing tennis from the start.

 

“The SmashZone Mobile Tour is a great platform to bring tennis to the masses through an interactive experience,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. “It provides an opportunity for kids to try tennis for the first time, allowing them to experience the fun and excitement that comes with playing the game.”

 

SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized tennis courts for youth play. Courts will feature games such as Xerox Rally Court, racquet drills and activities, as well as a Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap accessible, will feature activities for visitors that will include a Tennis Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot, Wii Tennis and Touch Screen Kiosks. SmashZone Mobile is a complement to the USTA’s successful youth participation initiative, 10 and Under Tennis.

 

10 and Under Tennis is an ongoing effort to encourage young people to get active by playing tennis. The initiative uses modified equipment and courts tailored to a child’s age and ability. By featuring shorter and lighter racquets, slower-bouncing balls, smaller courts and simplified scoring, children learn to play more quickly and easily while having more fun in the process.

 

To find more information about the SmashZone Mobile Tour and to find if it is coming to a city near you, please visit youthtennis.com.

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USTA Strikes Deal with ATP and WTA for US Open

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Press Release from the USTA – Flushing, N.Y., March 20, 2013 – The USTA today announced that in keeping with its mission to grow the sport of tennis, it has reached agreement with the ATP and WTA that ensures the vitality and competitiveness of the US Open as a world class, premier event for many years to come.

 

Presently, the USTA is in the midst of several strategic initiatives, all with a common goal of growing tennis at every level in the United States, from youth to seniors, and from those just starting out in the sport to professionals at the highest level of the game. For the US Open and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center the goal is twofold: to transform the National Tennis Center over the next several years into the most modern and fan- and player-friendly tennis center in the world and to continue to attract the world’s best tennis players. In line with this goal, the USTA has reached a five year agreement with the ATP and WTA on US Open prize money.

 

As part of this long-term vision, the USTA will provide $50 million in US Open prize money by 2017. Additionally, the USTA will increase base prize money for the 2013 US Open by an additional $4.1 million above the previously announced increase of four million dollars. The original announcement was made in December 2012. Base prize money for the 2013 US Open will now total more than $33.6 million, a more than $8.1 million increase over the $25.5 million available to players at the 2012 US Open.

 

Also, beginning in 2015 the US Open will conclude on the second Sunday of the two-week event with the men’s singles championship. To allow for a day of rest for the finalists, the men’s singles semifinals will be played on Friday. The women’s singles championship will be played on Saturday.

 

“The USTA has a long-term vision in place to ensure that tennis continues to thrive in the United States. This vision encompasses every level of the sport, from energizing existing fans, to attracting new players, to ensuring the US Open remains one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events,” said David Haggerty, USTA Chairman, CEO and President. “With this unprecedented commitment to long-term prize money and recognition of the value that players bring to the sport, we will gain stability for the sport so that we can focus our energy on growing the game and ensuring tennis’ vitality in the U.S. for years to come.”

 

“We welcome the commitment the USTA has made concerning player prize money at the US Open through 2017,” said Brad Drewett, ATP Executive Chairman & President. “These increases are the largest in the history of the sport, representing a significant step forward in truly recognizing the input the players have in the success of the US Open. We also welcome the decision from the USTA to adopt a schedule with the men’s semifinals completed by Friday and the final on Sunday, from 2015 onwards.”

 

“The ATP and its players, led by ATP Player Council President Roger Federer, have been encouraged by the recent co-operative approach taken by the USTA in listening to player concerns on these matters, and are pleased to have reached this long term understanding through 2017. We appreciate the productive manner in which the USTA, as well as Tennis Australia relating to the Australian Open, have engaged with the ATP and its players over the past 12 months. We remain committed to ongoing discussions with other Grand Slam tournaments in this regard.”

 

“We applaud the USTA’s long-term commitment to increased and fair compensation for our athletes,” said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman & CEO. “For 40 years the USTA has been a leader for equality and for women’s tennis, and today’s announcement is a testament to their continued, bold vision for the sport. On behalf of all the WTA and its players, I thank the USTA for its strong record of progressive leadership and support.”

 

“This excellent outcome for the sport of tennis wouldn’t have been possible without the open-mindedness and fairness of USTA President Dave Haggerty and the USTA staff,” said Roger Federer, 17-time Grand Slam champion and President of the ATP Player Council. “They approached our concerns with a true spirit of partnership, and as President of the ATP Player Council I am personally grateful for their support. Everyone I have spoken with is excited about the increases in prize money, as well as the agreement to change the schedule for 2015 and beyond. The US Open is very special, and we all look forward to great competition at Flushing Meadows later this year, and in the years yet to come.”

 

The USTA will announce the exact round-by-round distribution of the total prize money increase for the 2013 US Open this summer. Further year-by-year prize money increases are expected to be announced annually prior to that year’s US Open. This year’s US Open is scheduled for August 26 through September 9, with the US Open Qualifying Tournament beginning on August 20.

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US Open to Raise Prize Money to 50 Million Dollars by 2017

 

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(March 20, 2013) The Associated Press’ Howard Fendrich reported on Tuesday evening that the US Open will up its prize money to 50 million dollars.

Fendrich also reports that the men’s final will revert back to Sunday in 2015. Also the women’s semifinals will be held on Thursday, men’s semifinals Friday and the women’s final Saturday.

All of the changes will be formally announced on Wednesday as the USTA has scheduled a media conference call.

“Roger Federer said it perhaps best of all: It’s time for us to work together, as opposed to working against each other,” USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Gordon Smith said to the Associated Press in terms of negotiations with the ATP.

Read the full story from the Associated Press here.

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Redfoo to Enter 2013 US Open National Playoffs

Victoria Azarenka and Redfoo

Victoria Azarenka and Redfoo

(March 15, 2013) The USTA announced that music artist Redfoo, of the music group LMFAO, and “Heroes” TV star Sendhil Ramamurthy have both entered the 2013 US Open National Playoffs, which provides the opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older to earn a berth into the US Open.

 

Redfoo has entered the USTA Northern California Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Salinas, Calif., June 18-23. Ramamurthy has entered the USTA Eastern Sectional Qualifying Tournament held at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center at the home of the US Open, June 9-15. Both celebrities will compete in singles and mixed doubles.

 

Redfoo, 37, is a rapper, dancer and DJ, best known as part of the musical duo LMFAO, whose hit “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It” dominated the music charts. Redfoo, who formed LMFAO in 2006, is set to release his first solo album this year. The recording artist is also involved with tennis in a variety of ways—as a player, a fan, a coach, and a tournament sponsor. Redfoo played tennis as a junior and has recently been seen as a spectator at many of the Grand Slam tournaments. Redfoo also sponsored a USTA Pro Circuit women’s event last September, titled “The Party Rock Open” after his Party Rock clothing line, which was won by young American Lauren Davis. Redfoo, who is entered under his given name Stefan Gordy, will be playing singles and mixed doubles with 17-year-old Ayaka Okuno, who he is currently coaching. Okuno is ranked a career-high No. 28 in the ITF World Junior Rankings.

 

“As a kid, it’s always been a dream of mine to play professional tennis,” said Redfoo. “Thanks to the US Open National Playoffs for giving good players with a dream the chance to qualify for one of the biggest tournaments—the US Open. Every day I see my dream!”

 

Ramamurthy, 38, was a competitive junior tennis player in Texas who always had dreams of going pro, but fell back on his safety profession—acting. Perhaps best known for playing Dr. Mohinder Suresh on NBC’s “Heroes,” Ramamurthy also co-starred on “Covert Affairs,” “The Office,” and in the current “Beauty and the Beast” on the CW, where he made his debut on the show yesterday. In film, his feature credits include the independents SHOR, BRAHMIN BULLS and THE LIFEGUARD.

 

“I’m psyched to compete in this year’s US Open National Playoffs,” said Ramamurthy. “Since I was a young player, I always dreamed of snagging a spot at the Open. I am also excited to play on the grounds of the US Open, where all of the action happens and where there is so much US Open history.”

 

Other celebrities and personalities that have competed in the US Open National Playoffs include Olympic skier Bode Miller, former Major League baseball player Todd Walker, and ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, who teamed with six-time US Open champion Chris Evert in mixed doubles.

 

Online entry and additional information for each of the 13 sectional qualifying tournaments began today at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs. The entry fee for each of the sectional qualifying tournaments is $100 for singles and $120 for each mixed doubles team ($60 per player). All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through August 26, 2013.

 

The US Open National Playoffs begin as a series of sectional qualifying tournaments and will be held in 13 USTA Sections throughout the country. The 13 men’s, women’s and mixed doubles champions or top available finishers from each sectional qualifying tournament will advance to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles Championship. All three championships will be held in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, an Emirates Airline US Open Series event.

 

The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs mixed doubles champions receive a wild card into the main draw of the 2013 US Open.

 

Additional information on the US Open National Playoffs is available now at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs.

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US Open National Playoffs to Return for Fourth Year

(March 6, 2013) The US Open National Playoffs will return for a fourth year to expand the footprint of the US Open to cities nationwide by providing the opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older to earn a berth into the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs will again include both men’s and women’s singles, as well as mixed doubles in 2013.

 

The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs mixed doubles champions receive a wild card into the main draw of the 2013 US Open.

 

“Anyone who dreams of playing in the US Open—top junior players, collegians, teaching professionals, ‘weekend warriors,’ or recreational players—can make that dream a reality through the US Open National Playoffs,” said Dave Haggerty, USTA Chairman, CEO, and President. “The level of singles and mixed doubles competition is always strong, while our committed USTA sections do a terrific job running the sectional qualifying tournaments. It all makes the event unique and special for our sections, US Open fans and tennis players across the country.”

 

Registration and additional information for each of the 13 sectional qualifying tournaments begins on March 15 at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs. The entry fee for each of the sectional qualifying tournaments is $100 for singles and $120 for each mixed doubles team ($60 per player). All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through August 26, 2013.

 

The US Open National Playoffs begin as a series of sectional qualifying tournaments and will be held in 13 USTA Sections throughout the country (see complete schedule on page 2). The 13 men’s, women’s and mixed doubles champions or top available finishers from each sectional qualifying tournament will advance to the US Open National Playoffs – Men’s and Women’s Singles Championship, held August 16-19, and the Mixed Doubles Championship, held August 21-24. All three tournaments will take place in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara, an Emirates Airline US Open Series event. Tickets for the 2013 New Haven Open at Yale went on sale on Tuesday, March 5, and can be purchased at www.emiratesusopenseries.com.

 

“It’s always amazing to see the passion and determination of those competing to fulfill their dreams of playing in the US Open,” said Derek Fisher, US Open National Playoffs Tournament Director. “We’re excited for another group of talented players and the perfect host—The New Haven Open at Yale presented by First Niagara—to make the fourth US Open National Playoffs the strongest yet.”

 

A player may only compete in singles and/or mixed doubles at one sectional qualifying tournament during a calendar year. Players competing in men’s singles or women’s singles and mixed doubles may opt to compete at different sectional qualifying tournaments for each event (one for singles and one for mixed doubles). The draw size at each sectional qualifying tournament will be a maximum of 256 for each singles event and a maximum of 128 teams for mixed doubles. Participants can be of any playing level, giving everyone an equal opportunity to advance.

 

More than 1,200 players competed in the 2012 US Open National Playoffs, ranging from experienced professionals who were once ranked in the Top 50, to upcoming junior players, to current and former college standouts to recreational players of all playing abilities and walks of life. Participants included those competing for charities as well as pastors, musicians, lawyers, reporters and stay-at-home mothers. Former notable participants include Olympic skier Bode Miller and ESPN’s Mike Greenberg, who teamed with six-time US Open champion Chris Evert in mixed doubles.

 

The past champions of the US Open National Playoffs are:

 

Year Men’s Singles Women’s Singles Mixed Doubles

2012 Clement Reix Alexandra Mueller Brian Battistone/ Nicole Melichar

2011 Blake Strode Robin Anderson David Martin/Christina Fusano

2010 Blake Strode Alexandra Mueller Not held

 

The US Open Qualifying Tournament will be held August 20-23 and the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship begins August 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. The 2013 US Open begins on August 26.

 

Additional information on the US Open National Playoffs is available now at www.USOpen.org/NationalPlayoffs.

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ATP Statement Regarding 2013 US Open Prize Money / Monday Final

(December 17, 2012) ATP Statement Regarding 2013 US Open Prize Money / Monday Final

Following last week’s announcement regarding the 2013 US Open prize money and the modification of the schedule to a Monday final, the ATP said:

2013 PRIZE MONEY
The prize money increase announced by the US Open for 2013 is appreciated and, together with the 2012 increase, represents the largest increase by the US Open since the ATP Tour began in 1990. However, over the last nine months the ATP and its players have asked that the US Open fully recognise the fundamental role of the players in driving US Open revenues, which are the largest in our sport.

The ATP therefore remains committed to continuing discussions on this issue, with the objective of ensuring that the players’ share of the revenues at the US Open truly reflects the value that they generate for the event.

2013 MONDAY FINAL
By modifying the schedule to allow a rest day between the semi-finals and the final, the US Open has recognised the incredible physical demands of men’s tennis.

However, the ATP and its players have made it clear to the US Open that we do not support a Monday final. We strongly believe the US Open should keep a similar schedule to the other Grand Slams, with the men’s semi-finals completed by Friday and the final on Sunday. It is unfortunate the US Open response did not reflect our views on this issue and the ATP and its players will continue to pursue this matter in its discussions with the USTA.

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US Open Extended to 15 Days with Men’s Final on Monday

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(December 14, 2012) The USTA has announced that US Open will add an extra day, extending the tournament to 15 days for 2013. The women’s final will be moved to Sunday with the men’s final pushed to Monday, September 9, 2012 giving a day of rest before each championship match for the first time.

“Super Saturday” will cease to exist with the USTA scrapping the Saturday night session which had the women’s final. The women’s singles semifinals will be played in a single day session on Friday, September 6, and the women’s final will take place on Sunday, September 8 at 4:30 p.m. ET, in the time slot where the men’s singles final was played.

 

Also the total prize money will increase by four million dollars to $29.5 million, the largest in the history of the tournament.

“I’m pleased that the USTA has modified the US Open schedule to include a day of rest between the semi-finals and final,” said 2012 US Open Men’s Champion Andy Murray.” Together with the prize money increase, it’s good that they’ve taken on board the players’ concerns.”

“Both the prize money increase and the addition of a day of rest are great for the players,” said Serena Williams, 2012 US Open winner. “These moves make the tournament stronger than it’s ever been for all players.”

CBS will air the final four days of the US Open.

“We recognize the increased physicality required to compete at the highest level of the sport, and we have responded to the players’ request for a scheduled day of rest between the singles semifinals and finals,” said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “The record increase in US Open prize money and the changes in the next year’s schedule are aimed at rewarding the players’ talents and accommodating the rigors of the modern professional game.”

A decision in regard to 2014 and beyond will come after 2013’s tournament.

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

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USTA Reports US Open Attendance Over 700,000 for Fifth Time

FROM THE USTA -FLUSHING, N.Y., September 12, 2012 – The USTA today announced that the 2012 US Open, driven by two of the most compelling singles finals in the tournament’s 131 years, was one of the most successful years in the tournament’s history.  Total attendance topped 700,000 for the fifth time finishing at 710,803.

 

Television viewership of the three-set women’s singles final featuring Serena Williams defeating Victoria Azarenka on CBS Sports was the highest since 2002, with 17.7 million viewers watching all or part of the match.  The men’s five-set thriller where Andy Murray captured his first Grand Slam victory by defeating Novak Djokovic was seen by 16.2 million viewers on CBS Sports, the most viewers to watch a men’s singles final since 2007.  This year’s was broadcast in 180 countries around the world, and aired on CBS Sports, ESPN and Tennis Channel in the U.S.

 

The tournament’s official website, USOpen.org, generated more than 325 million page views and was accessed by more than 11.7 million visitors worldwide; the fourth consecutive year unique visitors have topped 10 million. More than 2.8 million hours of free live streaming was viewed by fans domestically.  The free streaming was available across computers, mobile devices and tablets.

 

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HEAD Interview with Andy Murray

 

New York – September 10, 2012 Andy Murray wrote  new British tennis history by capturing the US Open. The Gold medalist of the London Olympics won a HEAD to HEAD battle of racquet rebels, winning his first Grand Slam title with a 7-6(10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 win over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final.
Murray, swinging his YouTek IG Radical Pro, won the second-longest final in tournament history, lasting 4:54 hours as he claimed a tough final set over Djokovic (YouTek IG Speed MP). Between them the two racquet rebels now hold two of the top three spots in the ATP rankings.

Murray got a huge weight off his shoulders as he became the first British man since Fred Perry in 1936 to lift a grand Slam trophy: “I don’t know how I did it,” said Murray. “There were incredibly tricky conditions. After the third and fourth set, it was tough mentally. Novak is so strong; he fights to the end in every match. I’ve had some long tough matches in the past with Novak, I just managed to get through it.”

Djokovic was defending the title he won a year ago, with the Serb having won four Grand Slam titles since the start of 2011. “It wasn’t meant to be,” said Djokovic. “I want to congratulate Andy and his team. He absolutely deserves this. I tried my best,” said the world No. 2 who came back from two sets down to force a fifth set.

The Scot’s victory ended his summer of success after playing the Wimbledon final against Federer and then beating the Swiss three weeks later in the Olympic gold medal match. He is the first male player to win the Olympic tennis tournament and the US Open in the same season.

HEAD has an Andy Murray 2012 US Open champion Facebook sweepstakes going on right now which is promoting the Radical Bag and Radical Pro racquets; https://www.facebook.com/headtennis/app_141572462652932

 

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