Tennis broadcasting is about to experience a significant transformation as Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) takes over the U.S. rights for the French Open. Starting June 2024, TNT Sports will replace the previous fragmented coverage that was spread across NBC, Tennis Channel, and various streaming platforms, promising viewers a fresh perspective on one of tennis's premier events.
TNT's approach aims to modernize tennis coverage with several innovations that break from traditional broadcasting methods. Plans include mid-match coach interviews with some coaches wearing microphones, conversations with players during practice sessions, new dynamic camera angles, and a whip-around coverage style reminiscent of NFL Red Zone's approach to football—focusing cameras wherever drama unfolds during the tournament.
At the heart of this revolution is a notable roster of commentators blending experience with contemporary insight. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams headlines the team alongside other current and recently retired players including Sloane Stephens, Chris Eubanks, Caroline Wozniacki, and Sam Querrey. They'll join tennis broadcasting veterans John and Patrick McEnroe and Chris Evert.
"It's time to play it forward," explained Craig Barry, TNT's chief content officer and a former college tennis player. "It's time to find a groove and push this sport back to where it belongs. I don't know why it's lost as much momentum as it has."
Barry envisions a more conversational approach to tennis commentary: "What interests me is a conversational approach to the game, where I feel like I'm sitting in a room talking tennis. I understand there's a certain formality to the tradition of tennis and I'm not here to change that, but cutting people loose to have opinions and giving them a forum to have a conversation and look at different ways of calling matches is an important part of the evolution."
Recent statistics from Statbet show that innovative broadcasting approaches can significantly impact viewer engagement in major tournaments, suggesting TNT's new format could help revitalize audience interest in clay court tennis.
The inclusion of active players like Eubanks, who has credited his broadcasting experience with improving his on-court performance, represents a particularly interesting dimension. Eubanks notably reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2023 while balancing playing and commentary duties.
With viewership for the French Open finals having struggled in recent years—last year's men's final drew approximately 1.6 million viewers while the women's final attracted fewer than 1 million—TNT faces both a challenge and an opportunity. The network has secured rights for ten years, giving them ample time to refine their approach.
"We have 10 years to figure out the best direction," Barry noted, acknowledging the experimental nature of some changes while respecting tennis's traditions.
The coverage will also benefit from WBD's ownership of Eurosport, which broadcasts the French Open in Europe, allowing American viewers access to international commentators including former champions Mats Wilander and Boris Becker.
Tennis fans can look forward to experiencing this reimagined coverage when the clay court Grand Slam begins this June at Roland Garros.
