USA NETWORK SERVES UP 107 HOURS OF US OPEN COVERAGE BEGINNING MONDAY, AUG. 27
McEnroe, Robinson Lead USA Network's Coverage
NEW YORK � August 23, 2007 � USA Network will telecast more than 107 hours of the 2007 US Open Tennis Championship over 12 days, including more than 95 hours live, beginning on Monday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. USA's live coverage, in its 24th year, will be simulcast in high definition on Universal HD. Three-time defending champion Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal look to continue what has become one of the great rivalries in the history of the sport, with the two men having met in four of the past six major finals. They will be challenged by American Andy Roddick, winner of the 2003 US Open. On the women's side, two-time champion Venus Williams will try to maintain her resurgence, coming off an improbable victory at Wimbledon, while Maria Sharapova looks to defend her 2006 US Open crown.
Ted Robinson (host) and four-time US Open champion John McEnroe (analyst) enter their 16th year together as USA Network's lead US Open broadcast team. Tracy Austin, in her 17th year calling US Open action, and Jim Courier, a four-time Grand Slam champion, also will provide analysis. Bill Macatee (host), Michael Barkann (reporter), Al Trautwig (studio host) and Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim (reporter) round out USA's US Open team.
MCENROE ON THE ATTENTION IN TENNIS SHIFTING FROM THE WOMEN TO THE MEN:
"I think it has already shifted to be honest."
"When the Williams sisters make a big move and go a long way they grab some attention because historically a lot of people have been interested in seeing them. The ratings have been the best in the women's when one or both of them are involved."
"The rivalry that's developed with Federer and Nadal has really helped the men's side. I think the men's side has more momentum than the women's right now."
AUSTIN ON THE WILLIAMS' SISTERS:
"You never know with the Williams sisters. They seem to break all the rules, but definitely the top half of the draw is just loaded, and the bottom half of the draw is weaker."
AUSTIN ON THE WOMEN'S SIDE OF THE US OPEN:
"The women's side is very, very open. I think there are more question marks than there are answers."
MCENROE ON ANDY RODDICK'S INJURY HURTING HIS CHANCES OF MAKING THE TOP 10:
"He had a great run last summer, and he's already dropped to I think 18. He would've been in the top ten had he not been hurt, so there's a definite negative. He lost a lot of time, he lost a lot of confidence, he lost a lot of points and that's not a good thing. So he's got some work to do, and I hope that he's okay because I like him and I like the way he plays."
MCENROE ON NOVAK DJOKOVIC:
"He's one of the few players that's actually going up there and saying 'I want to be the best player in the world' and I absolutely believe he's going to win majors and it looks like it could be very soon."
"Djokovic for the last couple years, for people that have watched the sport very carefully, you know how talented this guy is. He's got a strut that he's walked around with, he's a smart guy, he listens to people, takes what he thinks is going to work and sort of tries to add it to his game. He's just got a feel for knowing to do the right thing on and off the court. Winning helps winning obviously. And some of it is that his serve has gotten better, he's gotten in better shape, his backhand has improved, his forehand is even bigger, he's realizing the need to work. He needs to change from defense to offense."
"He's played a lot of tennis this year, so to go all the way this year would be quite an amazing end to the year. But you're going to see amazing things from him."
USA Network will telecast afternoon coverage Monday, Aug. 27 through Friday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 4 through Thursday, Sept. 6 beginning at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT; and primetime coverage Monday, Aug. 27 through Thursday, Sept. 6 starting at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Highlights of USA's coverage include the Men's and Women's Quarterfinals (Sept. 4-6), the Mixed Doubles Final (Sept. 6), as well as the Women's Doubles Final on Sunday, Sept. 9 (1-2:30 p.m.). USA's "Match of the Day" will be rebroadcast at 2 a.m. ET/PT Aug. 28-30 and Sept. 4-6.
John McGuinness is coordinating producer for USA Network's tennis coverage.
INTERACTIVE COVERAGE:
DIRECTV, USA Network and the USTA are teaming up to provide DIRECTV customers access to more than 300 hours of tournament coverage, including up to 100 additional matches. For the first time, interactive features will be available on USA Network in addition to five other channels covering matches on featured courts. Viewers also will have access to more detailed match coverage information.
USA NETWORK
USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 network in basic cable, USA Network is seen in nearly 94 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.
USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
UNIVERSAL HD
UniHD launched in 4Q 2004 and is currently available to more than 54 million homes, and has over 6 million subscribers. Carriage is through DirectTV, Echostar, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox, and Mediacom. It broadcasts 24/7 in 100% 1080i HD. UniHD (an NBC Universal Company) broadcasts hit movies, new and classic television series and major sporting events.
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