Tag: Iga Swiatek

  • Sony Sports Network unveils Australian Open 2025 coverage across India

    Sony Sports Network unveils Australian Open 2025 coverage across India

    MUMBAI: As the sun rises over Melbourne Park, the echoes of rackets and roars of the crowd signal the dawn of Grand Slam week—a tennis fan’s ultimate dream.

    Sony Sports Network is all set to serve an ace with exclusive live coverage of the Australian Open 2025, running from 12-26 January.

    From the thrill of a five-set marathon to the elegance of a perfectly executed backhand, fans can experience it all in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, bringing the action closer to every corner of India.

    With marquee sponsors like Rolex, Amul, Kia Motors, and Apple rallying alongside, Sony promises a broadcast that’s as electrifying as a match point on Rod Laver Arena.

    The tournament will kick off on Sunday, 12 January, a strategic adjustment aimed at enhancing the experience for both players and fans by reducing late-night match strain. Viewers can expect thrilling performances from top players, including defending champion Jannik Sinner, 10-time winner Novak Djokovic, and women’s World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

    In addition to Sinner and Djokovic, players like Alexander Zverev (World No.2), Carlos Alcaraz (World No.3), Taylor Fritz (World No.4), and Daniil Medvedev (World No.4) will compete for glory. The women’s draw features fierce competition with Iga Swiatek (World No.2) vying for the title. Adding to the excitement is the return of Nick Kyrgios, aiming to make a triumphant comeback.

    Indian players will also feature prominently, with Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, Yuki Bhambri, and Sriram Balaji participating. Rithvik Bollipalli, ranked 72 in doubles, will make his Grand Slam debut, building on his successful 2024 season, which included his first ATP Tour title.

    The exclusive broadcast will feature EXTRAAA SERVE, a panel of experts including Sania Mirza, Somdev Devvarman, and Purav Raja, who will deliver insights and analysis.

    Mirza expressed excitement about the competition, stating, “I have some of my fondest memories at the Australian Open and I look forward to being back in the expert’s chair for Sony Sports Network’s EXTRAAA SERVE. I am also excited to watch the 2025 season, as Rohan Bopanna and Sumit Nagal will represent India. The competition is about to get more interesting as this season will bring lots of opportunities, whether it’s for Jannik Sinner, who looks to defend his title or its Novak Djokovic, who is looking to restore his past glory. Adding to the Melbourne heat will be the contest between Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.”

    Devvarman praised the network’s efforts, saying, “Over the years, Sony Sports Network has become the home for the Australian Open and it gives me immense pleasure to return to the commentary box and the studio chair for yet another exciting season. The 2025 edition of the tournament will set the tone for the upcoming Australian Open tournaments and other Grand Slams especially when it comes to the next legend in tennis.”

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), chief revenue officer – distribution and international business and head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul commented, “The Australian Open has established itself as the preferred Grand Slam among Indian tennis fans, differentiated by its entertainment quotient and the presence of top-seeded players. It is the most watched Grand Slam on linear television over the last three years. We are committed to continuing this momentum and delivering premier tennis action to our Indian audiences. The response from advertisers has been exceptionally positive, with prestigious brands such as Rolex, Kia Motors, Apple and more joining us for this remarkable tournament.”

    Sony Sports Network’s #WHEREGREATNESSBEGINS campaign celebrates the tournament as a platform for unearthing future tennis legends.

    Fans can catch the live action on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (English). Matches will also be live-streamed on Sony LIV, starting 5:30 am IST daily.

  • Abu Dhabi gears up for World Tennis League season three

    Abu Dhabi gears up for World Tennis League season three

    Mumbai: The World Tennis League (WTL) returns for its third season from 19 to 22 December 2024 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism and Miral, WTL season three will feature 16 top players across four teams, including Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, and India’s Sumit Nagal.

    Alongside tennis, performances by Bryan Adams, Akon, Sean Paul, and Anastacia will add to the entertainment. This year’s ‘Kids Watch For Free’ initiative allows up to four children to enter for free with each adult ticket purchased. The previous edition drew 20,000 attendees and was broadcast in over 125 countries. WTL aims to further cement itself as a major global event by combining world-class sports and entertainment.

  • Sony Sports Network to LIVE Telecast Australian Open 2024 in English and Hindi

    Sony Sports Network to LIVE Telecast Australian Open 2024 in English and Hindi

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network is proud to announce its continued association with the prestigious Australian Open, bringing the electrifying LIVE telecast of the 2024 edition to tennis enthusiasts across India. The tournament, scheduled from Sunday, 14 January 2024, to Sunday, 28 January 2024, will captivate fans as Melbourne Park hosts the world’s tennis elite in a battle for the coveted first grand slam title of the year. Sony Sports Network will bring all the LIVE action from the tournament in English and Hindi, while Tamil and Telugu language feeds will be added from the Quarterfinals stage onwards.

    Leading up to the tournament, Sony Sports Network launched it’s ‘#SlamOfTheGreats’ campaign, masterfully capturing all the thrills, competitive spirit, and excitement that the Australian Open has always offered. The campaign pays tribute to some of the greatest tennis moments in the history of the game, and also feature’s India’s own Tennis great Sania Mirza announcing her arrival to world tennis with her first Grand Slam win in 2009.

    In a historic first, the Australian Open will begin on a Sunday, giving tennis fans an extra day of play. This change aims to reduce the pressure on late-night finishes for both the players and the fans, while also bringing one extra day of live tennis action.

    As temperatures soar in Melbourne, the anticipation for the first tennis Grand Slam of the year is heating up, with Novak Djokovic aiming to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam victories. Djokovic faces mighty competition from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Jannik Sinner, all vying to etch their name in the history books. Fans of Women’s Tennis are in for a treat too with Aryna Sabalenka aiming to defend her title and ward off any challenges from current world number one Iga Świątek.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business & head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said,  “It’s that time of the year when the best tennis stars gather in Melbourne to compete for the ultimate glory in the year’s first Grand Slam. The Australian Open has consistently been the most watched Grand Slam in India for the last few years.  Our commitment extends beyond on-field action, featuring off-field initiatives like expert insights and opinions from two-time Australian Open winner Sania Mirza and Former India No 1, Somdev Devvarman on our live studio show, Extraaa Serve.”

    Sony Sports Network two-times Australian Open winner & tennis brand ambassador Sania Mirza said, “The Australian Open tournament holds a special place in my heart as I made my Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2005. The Grand Slam continues to be a strong platform for players to showcase their talent, and this year’s tournament will feature both emerging talents and established stars lighting up the court. I am looking forward to being a part of Extraaa Serve on Sony Sports Network as a panellist through the course of the tournament.  Throughout the broadcast, we will bring fans closer to all the live action in Australia and also present behind-the-scenes moments of this sporting spectacle.”

    Olympian & former No 1 India Tennis Player. Asian Games & Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and panellist, Extraaa Serve Somdev Devvarman said, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be a part of Sony Sports Network’s Australian Open broadcast. It’s a tournament that never fails to deliver incredible moments, and I look forward to being a part of the team that brings these moments to your screens. Sony Sports Network has been a champion for tennis in India, and I’m thrilled to contribute to the passion and excitement that the Australian Open always brings.”

    As the ‘Home of Tennis’ in India, Sony Sports Network offers year-long marquee tennis events, featuring three out of the four Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garros (French Open), and US Open, along with Davis Cup and ATP Masters, making it the ultimate destination for top-tier tennis action. The Australian Open, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of Indian tennis enthusiasts, consistently ranking as one of the most-watched tennis tournaments on Indian television.

  • Sony Sports Network returns with Extraaa Serve, the broadcasters’ flagship studio show for the US Open

    Sony Sports Network returns with Extraaa Serve, the broadcasters’ flagship studio show for the US Open

    Mumbai: Sony Sports Network, is the official broadcaster and Sony LIV is the official streaming partner of the upcoming US Open in India, set to commence on 28 August 2023.

    Current ATP World Rank No.1 and reigning US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz will look to re-ignite his rivalry with former top seed Novak Djokovic, who will be aiming to add to his record 23 grand slam titles at the US Open. In conjunction, Tennis stars from the Men’s Singles category such as Holger Rune, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be looking to pose a challenge to the dominance of Alcaraz and Djokovic during the tournament.  

    Iga Swiatek, current WTA Rank No.1 will look to defend her US Open title this time around as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula will look to challenge her at the US Open.  

    Sony Sports Network will play a pivotal role in bringing dynamic tennis action live from the prestigious USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. The acrylic hard courts at the venue have been the home of the US Open since 1978 and have hosted countless classics that have enthralled tennis fans over the years.  

    In addition to the LIVE Coverage of the US Open, Sony Sports Network’s flagship studio show, Extraaa Serve will be telecast before and after each match day, which will be hosted by Suhail Chandok. Extraaa Serve will feature expert insights from fan favourites, Somdev Devvarman, former India No. 1; Purav Raja, who represents India in the Davis Cup and Indian Tennis Legend and multiple Grand Slam winner, Sania Mirza. Hindi commentary of the matches will begin on 6 September, with Saarthak Lal, Manish Batavia, and Atish Thukral joining the commentary team as panellists Quarter-Finals onwards.

    Sony Sports Network continues to be the premier destination for Tennis in India as the official broadcaster for the upcoming editions of the French Open at Roland Garros, Cincinnati Masters, Australian Open, and Canada Open. Additionally, Sony Sports Network will also be the official broadcaster for the upcoming editions of the Davis Cup.