LONDON/WASHINGTON, July 10, 2021 (by Michael Dickens)
The AELTC, best known as the venue of the Wimbledon Championships, has extended its partnerships with broadcasters BBC and ESPN, which will continue to help grow Wimbledon audiences around the world and “future-proof The Championships into the next decade,” it was announced Friday, according to the Wimbledon website.
Wimbledon’s extension of the BBC partnership runs to 2027 and will continue the oldest broadcasting partnership in sport, which celebrates its 95th anniversary next year. It ensures that Wimbledon will remain free to air to UK audiences across the BBC’s industry-leading network of platforms, including TV, iPlayer and radio.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon’s agreement with U.S.-based broadcaster ESPN extends to 2035, which covers North and South America, including Canada and Brazil, and continues its 20-plus year relationship between the AELTC and the U.S. sports broadcaster, which became exclusive in 2012.
AELTC & BBC extend contract to broadcast #Wimbledon until 2027 📺
Read more ⬇️
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2021
Naomi Osaka: ‘It’s O.K. not to be O.K.’
World No. 2 Naomi Osaka, sitting out this year’s Wimbledon following her withdrawal from the French Open after one round, has penned an essay for TIME magazine detailing why she puts mental health first as well as sharing her thoughts about the current tennis press conference format and her plans for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
A good read: @naomiosaka has penned an essay for @TIME detailing why she puts mental health first as well as her thoughts about the current tennis press conference format and her plans for the Tokyo Summer Olympics. 🎾 #tennis https://t.co/XH8Hz7b5QN
— Michael Dickens (@michaelcdickens) July 8, 2021
Nick Kyrgios: Says no to Summer Olympics
Hours after the Japanese government announced that the Tokyo Summer Olympics will ban spectators from venues, Nick Kyrgios took to his social media platforms to announce his decision to withdraw from representing Australia in the Olympics tennis tournament.
“Hey Guys – I just want to let you know that I’ve decided to withdraw from the Olympics. It’s a decision I didn’t make lightly. It’s been my dream to represent Australia at the Olympics and I know I may never get that opportunity again. But I also know myself. The thought of playing in front of empty stadiums just doesn’t sit right with me. It never has. I also wouldn’t want to take an opportunity away from a healthy Aussie athlete ready to represent the country. I will also take all the time I need to get my body right. Good luck to all the Aussies competing and I’ll see. You back on the court real soon.”
Olympics. pic.twitter.com/ydj1V7jh2t
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) July 8, 2021
Wimbledon Saturday order of play
“Quotable …”
• “Yeah, it was incredible. It was just almost a moment of relief, a moment of pure excitement. It was something that I’d never, never knew if I would feel. I think being able to have an opportunity to play in a final here at Wimbledon is incredible.”
– Ashleigh Barty, on her initial reaction after she beat Angelique Kerber on Thursday to reach Saturday’s Wimbledon ladies’ final.
• “It’s a final. Anything can happen. … I know [Ashleigh] has a Grand Slam, but also for her is the first Wimbledon final. I think we both have good chances. It’s going to be hopefully [a] good match to watch as well because with her it’s always interesting. We [are] going to see what’s going to happen.”
– Karolina Pliskova, on playing World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the Wimbledon ladies’ final.
And then there were two.
Who wins?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/bJS5JQm34q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2021
What they’re writing
• Tennis Canada shares its take on Denis Shapovalov’s semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic in “Shapovalov falls short in Wimbledon semi-final thriller to Djokovic”:
Denis Shapovalov left it all on Centre Court at #Wimbledon today. Tom Tebutt breaks down the Canadian’s epic effort against one of the game’s all-time greats.
Read more: 👇https://t.co/cbu6PlO8Te
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) July 10, 2021
• Racquet’s Giri Nathan on “Ashleigh Barty Mows The Field” about the World No. 1 and top seed Ashleigh Barty who plays for the ladies’ singles title at Wimbledon today:
Ash Barty is nonplussed. Here’s @girinathan on the woman looking to lift the Venus Rosewater https://t.co/jto9xz0ys2
— Racquet (@racqetmagazine) July 9, 2021
What they’re sharing on social media
David Beckham / Football royalty in the Royal Box Friday
Footballing royalty checking in to Centre Court#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/LiDHJqH1CB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2021
Elina Svitolina / Calling my summer body
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Karen Khachanov / Father’s play time begins
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