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ESPN Serves Up Tennis Season’s First Slam Event

Network Will Cover All Four Major Championships in 2009

By Larry Barrett -- Multichannel News, 1/13/2009 5:06:00 AM

ESPN and its family of networks and Web sites will kick off comprehensive coverage of all four of tennis’ Grand Slam events this year, beginning with its telecast of matches from the Australia Open on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

For the first time in its history, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN360.com will carry women’s and men’s matches from all four Grand Slam events including the Australian Open this month, the French Open in the spring, Wimbledon in July and the U.S. Open in the fall.

“To be involved with all four Grand Slam events is a major moment in ESPN history and we are proud to begin the year with our silver anniversary in Australia, one of the longest relationships in sports television,” John Skipper, ESPN’s executive vice president of content, said in a statement. “Tennis fans can sit back and enjoy all the sport’s premiere events all year on ESPN2 and ESPN360.com, brought to you by the people they know well, respect and enjoy.”

Network officials said its coverage will feature new animation, graphics, music and scoreboard. In addition, new on-air promos spotlight ESPN’s Grand Slam coverage and each event. 

In addition, where appropriate ESPN’s SportsCenter—including the new live weekday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ET editions—and ESPNEWS will endeavor live look-ins to the action.  Also, ESPN Deportes will present Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. and ESPN International will bring the event to viewers around the world.

Before the tournament begins, the random selection of the men’s and women’s brackets will be available on ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile TV Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

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• I am an avid tennis fan and player who very much appreciates seeing the Australian Open on TV. However, during the Federer/Seppi match I was terribly disappointed when P. McEnroe et al talked over the points and talked not about the match, but about Nadal etc. There is such joy in sitting back and getting engrossed in a match, yet the constant chatter totally destroys the ambiance. Your knowledge is important but not during the points. Thank you

  
  Alison Cooper - 1/19/2009 10:39:54 PM EST
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