LONDON, January 14, 2017
Andy Murray has committed to compete in the Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club for the duration of his career, and the BBC will cover the tournament until at least 2024.
Murray won a record fifth title in 2016 and then The Championships, Wimbledon for a second time three weeks later, before finishing the year as World No.1. He was voted BBC Sports Personality Of The Year for a third time in December, and received a knighthood in the New Year Honours list.
“I’ve always loved playing the event and I’m really happy to know that I will play at Queen’s for the rest of my career,” said Murray. “My first ATP World Tour match-win came at Queen’s in 2005, so for it to become by far the most successful tournament of my career is a great feeling. Looking at the names that have won the tournament four times – some of the best players ever – winning it five times means a lot to me.”
The BBC began broadcasting the tournament in 1979. Last year, 3.7 million people tuned in to BBC television to watch Murray defeat Milos Raonic in the final, with many more listening on BBC Radio 5 Live and following online on the BBC Sport website.
In 2017, more people than ever before will be able to watch the action in person at The Queen’s Club, with the tournament expanding its Centre Court capacity by 30%. More than 2,000 additional seats will be added to the current 6,942, taking the capacity to more than 9,000.
Stephen Farrow, Aegon Championships Tournament Director, said: “To know that Andy will play at The Queen’s Club for the rest of his career and that the BBC will cover it every step of the way is a huge boost in what is an exciting and important year for the Aegon Championships with our stadium capacity increasing by 30%. Last year, we celebrated our four-time winners Roy Emerson, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Lleyton Hewitt. This year, and for many years to come, Andy Murray will return as our greatest champion in front of more people than ever before, and covered live on television, radio and online by the BBC. We couldn’t be happier.”
Barbara Slater, Director of BBC Sport, said: “The Aegon Championships at The Queen’s Club is one of the most cherished events in the tennis calendar and it’s great that the BBC will continue to bring it to audiences across all platforms until 2024. With a British tennis player as the current World No. 1 there’s no better time for us to reinforce our commitment to the sport.”
Tara McGregor-Woodhams, Head of Brand & Sponsorship, Aegon UK said: “This is fantastic news. It has been a privilege to be title-sponsor of the Aegon Championships throughout the period in which Andy Murray has won his five titles, and the BBC has always given the tournament excellent coverage. We very much look forward to the 2017 event.”
The 2017 edition of the Aegon Championships will take place 19th-25th June.
The Aegon Championships will be broadcast live throughout by the BBC and Eurosport.
