Australian Open announces record new $425m TV deal

| by Tom Grant

The head of Tennis Australia (TA) insists the record new $425 million TV deal will mean a focus on 'a new generation of fans' in the country.

Chief executive Craig Tiley was speaking after the governing body of tennis in Australia revealed a bumper five-year extension of its broadcast partnership with current broadcaster Nine Network.

The existing deal wasn’t due to expire until the end of the 2024 Australian Open but the extension has been agreed to 2029 - worth $85 million per year - TA's biggest ever.

TA boss Tiley said Nine Network had demonstrated a 'commitment to continue to grow tennis' and admitted his delight at the deal.

He said: “Together we have regularly set and exceeded targets for ourselves in what has been a highly productive partnership thus far.

“This new deal further strengthens that relationship, in which our organisations work as a true co-operative on the broadcast, production, innovation and promotion of our events and sport.

“It will ensure we are reaching audiences of all ages and backgrounds across multiple platforms with high-quality product.

“We want to show our sport at its best to continually excite tennis fans, while also appealing to a new generation of fans and players across Australia. This new deal will certainly help us do that.”

The new five-year contract replaces the previous one that was worth $300 million and means that fans in Australia can watch as the Nine Entertainment Network brings them the lead-up tournaments up to the first Grand Slam of the year including the brand-new United Cup.

The new mixed team event, set to take place across Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, is gaining traction nicely, with strong commitment from both the ATP and WTA tour pros such as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari, World No.1 Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal who will represent Spain.

"Any team event is great for the game" - Frances Tiafoe on United Cup
"Any team event is great for the game" - Frances Tiafoe on United Cup
Nick Kyrgios to lead Australian team at inaugural United Cup
Nick Kyrgios to lead Australian team at inaugural United Cup

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