TNT Sports is stepping onto the tennis court with big ambitions as it begins its first year broadcasting the French Open in the United States. The network’s coverage kicks off this weekend as part of a major ten-year deal worth a reported $650 million with the French Tennis Federation (FFT).
Craig Barry, executive vice president and chief content officer at TNT Sports, says the goal is to bring “energy and joy” back to how tennis is shown on TV. “We want fans to feel entertained and connected,” Barry told SportsPro. “If our on-air talent is having fun, that feeling spreads to everyone watching.”
The French Open, also known as Roland-Garros, has long been seen as a traditional and classic event. But TNT, along with its parent company Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), plans to mix things up—without losing respect for the tournament’s legacy.
New Broadcast Features
For the first time, US viewers will see live matches on TNT, while TruTV will offer a daily whiparound show, similar to the NFL Red Zone, giving real-time highlights from across the tournament.
The broadcast team also plans to bring viewers closer to the action by miking up players during warm-ups and interviewing coaches between sets. These behind-the-scenes moments aim to make the coverage feel more personal and engaging.
“This is our first year. We’re going to test things. If they work, great. If not, we’ll adjust,” said Barry. “We’re being careful not to overwhelm viewers with too much too soon.”
A Global Production Effort
This new partnership also marks a milestone in global broadcasting. WBD now becomes the largest international partner for Roland-Garros. Eurosport, a WBD brand, has been covering the tournament in Europe for over 35 years. But this year marks the first time TNT is leading the coverage in the US.
Scott Young, group senior vice president of content and operations at WBD Sports Europe, described the collaboration as “one production team with different outlets.” TNT will have two dedicated studios at Roland-Garros—one for US viewers and one for UK audiences. In the UK, TNT is also taking over coverage from Eurosport after its channels went off air earlier this year.
Match highlights, interviews, player reactions, and behind-the-scenes footage will be shared across WBD’s networks and social media platforms around the world.
Extensive Coverage on Streaming Platforms
Fans can also stream over 900 matches from all tournament categories—including singles, doubles, legends, wheelchair, and junior events—on WBD’s Max and Discovery+ platforms. Additional feeds will include press conferences and multiple live camera angles from across the tennis grounds.
Star Power On-Air
One of the most exciting changes is the lineup of experts on TNT’s coverage team. Legendary players like Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, Tim Henman, and Sloane Stephens will be featured across all platforms, adding in-depth analysis and personal insight.
“This will be the most extraordinary coverage of a Grand Slam ever,” Young said. “It’s not just about the technology or scale—it’s about telling great stories.”
TNT enters the 2025 French Open with high hopes. Last year, WBD’s European coverage of the tournament set record viewership numbers. Barry isn’t focused on exact ratings for TNT’s debut but hopes that fans feel the difference.
“We want the tennis community to see this as a step forward,” Barry said. “If that’s how it’s received, then we’re on the right track.”
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