Venus Williams Joins TNT Sports as French Open Broadcaster for 2025
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and former French Open finalist, will join TNT Sports' broadcast team for the 2025 French Open, set to begin on May 25. This announcement follows TNT Sports' acquisition of a 10-year broadcasting deal for the French Open, valued at $650 million.
Williams, 44, has had a distinguished tennis career, securing seven Grand Slam singles titles, including five at Wimbledon and two at the US Open. She reached the French Open singles final in 2002 and competed in the event as recently as 2021. Her transition to broadcasting brings a wealth of experience and insight to the TNT Sports team.
In June 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery's TNT Sports secured a 10-year agreement with the French Tennis Federation to broadcast the French Open in the United States, commencing in 2025. The deal averages approximately $65 million annually, totaling around $650 million over the decade. This agreement marks a significant increase from the previous $12 million per year received from NBC and Tennis Channel. NBC had been the primary broadcaster of the French Open since 1983.
Williams will join a distinguished team of tennis legends, including Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Jim Courier, Lindsay Davenport, Sloane Stephens, and Caroline Wozniacki. TNT Sports plans to provide comprehensive coverage of the tournament, featuring live broadcasts on TNT, TBS, and truTV. Additionally, truTV will offer all-day studio shows and "whiparound" coverage. All matches will be available for streaming on Max, Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service.
The 2025 French Open is scheduled to begin on May 25, with the women's singles final set for June 7 and the men's singles final on June 8. The defending champions are Iga Swiatek in the women's singles and Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles.
Venus Williams' transition from professional athlete to broadcaster reflects a broader trend of athletes leveraging their expertise in media roles, providing audiences with in-depth analysis and personal insights. Her presence on the TNT Sports team may attract a wider viewership, including fans who have followed her illustrious career. This move also underscores the increasing value and investment in sports broadcasting rights, highlighting the competitive nature of media companies vying for premium sports content.
As the French Open approaches, fans can anticipate a fresh perspective on the tournament, enriched by Williams' firsthand experience and the comprehensive coverage planned by TNT Sports.
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