Tennis Today: Good news, bad news day as ITV extends Roland Garros deal, but London to lose ATP Finals

Alexander Zverev playing cameraman

In Tennis Today, ITV will continue to cover Roland Garros until 2021, but London is set to lose the season-ending ATP Finals.

What’s on the site
Rafael Nadal kicks off his clay-court swing at the Monte-Carlo Masters on Wednesday, but he admits he is not sure about his form following yet another injury layoff.

Staying with Rafa, Uncle Toni said some things about Rafa’s long-term future, but Uncle Toni realised he made a mistake and apologised. Rafa accepted the apology and life is good again.

As for results from the Monte-Carlo Masters, world No 1 Novak Djokovic was made to sweat in the second round by Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Cameron Norrie is through to the second round in the Principality, but seventh seed Marin Cilic crashed out.

What’s in the news
Let’s start with some good news from ITV as they have announced they “will continue to show exclusive free to air coverage of Roland Garros until 2021, in a new rights deal announced”.

“ITV4 will continue to broadcast comprehensive coverage each year, with a guaranteed minimum of 90 hours devoted to each tournament. The action will also be available on the ITV Hub,” the broadcaster said.

However, London’s O2 Arena is set to lose the ATP Finals with The Telegraph reporting the 2020 event is likely to be the last time that the venue stages the event.

Wondering who will be the next host?

“Turin is the favourite to win the new five-year deal; Tokyo is also seen as a strong contender,” according to the report.

It’s Fed Cup semi-final/play-offs weekend and Great Britain prepared by enjoying a “game of football tennis with West Ham United women ahead of Kazakhstan tie”.

Daily Mail reports “Johanna Konta, Katie Boulter, Heather Watson, Harriet Dart and Katie Swan were all present on Tuesday as they took on West Ham quartet Tessel Middag, Brianna Visalli, Anna Moorhouse, Brooke Hendrix in a friendly game against the backdrop of east London’s Queen Elizabeth Park”.

On The Tennis Podcast, they discuss whether or not playing doubles help or hinder top singles players following Stefanos Tsitsipas’ decision to commit to playing more doubles.

What’s on social media
ATP Tour anagram challenge featuring Jamie Murray and Kyle Edmund.

Frances Tiafoe watched his first ever live “soccer game” on Tuesday featuring Barcelona and Manchester United.

Juan Martin del Potro is active on Insta again.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Terminando otro día más de entrenamiento. 🤳😰💪

A post shared by Juan Martin del Potro (@delpotrojuan) on

More on the Fed Cup preparations by Great Britain.

What’s on TV
ATP Monte-Carlo
LIVE – Amazon Prime Video

WTA Fed Cup
Coverage starts later in the week

Novak Djokovic

Latest