By McCarton Ackerman
Tennis fans will have more opportunities to watch their favorite players compete this summer than ever before, with ESPN broadcasting more than 1,800 hours of live match coverage – including 200 hours of live TV coverage – across its platforms during the 2015 US Open and Emirates Airline US Open Series.
In addition to over 200 hours of live match play on ESPN and ESPN2, more than 1,600 hours of live match coverage will be shown on ESPN3. The unprecedented coverage is part of the first year of an 11-year agreement between the USTA and ESPN, which will broadcast the US Open until 2025.
“The opportunity for tennis to be seen across ESPN platforms affords the sport a stage that reaches far beyond the eyes of just the traditional tennis fan and into the homes of all sports fans,” said USTA President and US Open Chairwoman Katrina Adams. “The ability to be top of mind throughout the summer is an incredible chance to highlight some of the greatest athletes in the world, including Serena Williams as she continues her historic pursuit of the calendar Grand Slam, and continue to grow the sport throughout the country.”
During the 2015 US Open, more than 1,100 hours of live match coverage will be shown on ESPN3, which will also be hosted on USOpen.org. ESPN and ESPN2 will also show a combined 130 hours of live match coverage, with ESPN featuring play from 11 courts during the tournament.
During the five-week calendar of the Emirates Airline US Open Series, 34 consecutive days of tournament coverage will be featured on ESPN2 and ESPN3. More than 500 hours of tennis will be shown on ESPN3, while ESPN2 has committed to showing nearly 70 hours of live match coverage.
Fans will also be able to access coverage for the first time on the Series website, www.emiratesusopenseries.com, as well as the individual tournament websites through the ESPN3 Media Player. ESPN3 is also accessible on line at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app.
The US Open runs from Aug. 31 through Sept. 13, while the Emirates Airline US Open Series runs from July 27 through Aug. 29.