The Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle, will introduce analyst Lindsay Davenport as the newest member of its on-air team during the network’s upcoming Wimbledon coverage, June 20-29, 2011. The 1999 Wimbledon singles champion will work with legend Martina Navratilova, host Bill Macatee and fellow analyst Justin Gimelstob on the four-hour nightly tournament show Wimbledon Primetime, which begins Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. ET.
In January 2011 Davenport signed a multiyear talent agreement with Tennis Channel, which gives the three-time Grand Slam Champion a year-round presence at the network, including a role at all four of tennis’ majors. After offering on-air commentary of the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year (the latter of which generated record network viewers), she returns to the iconic grass courts where she defeated Steffi Graf to win one of the most coveted championships in sports.
“I’m excited to join the Tennis Channel team at Wimbledon,” said Davenport. “I’ve worked with Martina, Bill and Justin on past Slams and we always have a great time. London is such a fantastic city and Wimbledon has so much history – there is no place I’d rather be this time of year.”
Shot on an English pub-styled set at the All-England Lawn Tennis Association, Tennis Channel’s Wimbledon Primetime offers news, interviews, the day’s best plays, original features, previously unseen matches and coverage from around the hallowed tournament grounds. The bulk of the program is dedicated to the most important on-court action of that particular afternoon, utilizing the BBC television coverage and commentary that is widely renowned within the tennis community. Macatee and Navratilova have hosted the program since its 2008 inception.
Tennis Channel will televise 40 hours of first-run Wimbledon Primetime for 10 nights at this year’s tournament, and another 40 hours of same-night, encore telecasts. The program will air each evening from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. ET, June 20-29. During the first week, June 20-26, the show’s encore presentation will immediately follow its first-run conclusion at 11 p.m. ET, and run through 3 a.m. ET. On June 27-29, Wimbledon Primetime‘s encore presentationwill air from 12 a.m.-4 a.m. ET.
In addition to Wimbledon Primetime, Bud Collins, the reporter, broadcaster, writer and expert who has literally written the book on the sport with his Tennis Encyclopedia, lends his unique perspective and fashion sense to some of Wimbledon’s greatest moments in Bud’s Beat. These one-minute shorts, which will be broadcast on air and available on www.tennischannel.com, are a fun and informative look at the history of the game as told by one of its most celebrated storytellers.
In addition to its on-air coverage, Tennis Channel’s Web site, www.tennischannel.com, will enhance the network’s tournament offerings with columns from veteran tennis reporters Steve Flink and Matt Cronin and popular blogger James LaRosa, along with live scoring, polls, photo galleries and video highlights. Visitors will be able to view Wimbledon Primetime interviews and features, and take part in “Ask The Expert” Q&A sessions on the network’s Facebook page. The site will also offer access to Tennis Channel’s “London Calling” Wimbledon sweepstakes and the network’s free “Racquet Bracket” tournament prediction game.