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Ted Robinson Joins Tennis Channel’s Australian Open Team

January 14, 2020

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2020 – Tennis Channel will return to the Australian Open for its 13th consecutive year Jan. 19 to Feb. 2 and, for the first time, veteran sportscaster Ted Robinson (@tedjrobinson) will be part of the network’s on-air team. The trip to Melbourne will complete the cycle for Robinson, who has announced matches at tennis’ three other majors in his Emmy Award-winning career. Tennis Channel’s two-week Australian Open telecast begins Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. ET.

Notching his “Career Slam” with the 2020 Australian Open, Robinson has been in the on-air booth at 22 French Open (also known as Roland Garros), 14 Wimbledon and 26 US Open tournaments.

“I’m thrilled to join Tennis Channel’s Australian Open coverage for the first time,” said Robinson, who is a regular on the network throughout the year. “My colleagues have long told me about the fabulous atmosphere in Melbourne. Now, I can experience it first hand and am excited to add to Tennis Channel’s comprehensive Grand Slam coverage.”

Also new to the channel’s telecast of the year’s first major is announcer Alex Faust (@alex_faust). Faust, who has handled hosting and play-by-play duties in the network’s Los Angeles studio since 2017, has agreed to a three-year extension with the network that widens his responsibilities through 2020.

“I’m incredibly excited to expand my role with Tennis Channel, including at this year’s Australian Open,” said Faust. “It’s a thrill to work with the best on-air team in tennis, and I can’t wait to see how the 2020 season unfolds.”

Tennis Channel will again offer 13 consecutive days of live matches in Melbourne, with more than 30 live hours in all (complete schedule follows). Including daily encore matches and lead-in shows, the network will provide nearly 150 hours from the year’s first major. Monday, Jan. 20, will see the first of 10 days of live, primetime match play, staring at 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage runs through the mixed-doubles final on Saturday, Feb. 1, and features singles play through the men’s and women’s quarterfinals along with the men’s and women’s doubles finals.

Tennis Channel has shown all five of the event’s finals – men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles – since its first Australian Open in 2008. In addition to the greatest players in the world, the network will carry the boys’ and girls’ singles finals live.

Lead-in show Tennis Channel Live at the Australian Open begins Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. ET (evening in the United States – morning in Australia). The program will break down the previous day’s results and examine the upcoming action. Emmy Award-winning announcer Brett Haber (@BrettHaber) is back as host, joined by analysts and Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova (@Martina) and Jim Courier. Tennis reporter and author Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) will also return to the show this year, and again provide tournament stories and analysis. Tennis Channel Live at the Australian Open is scheduled nightly from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, to Wednesday, Jan. 29, with the final edition from 10 p.m.-11 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30.

Tennis Channel’s and ESPN’s ongoing Grand Slam alliance includes the Australian Open and gives viewers near round-the-clock tournament enjoyment from Melbourne. Each network utilizes its own commentators during its respective coverage and cross-promotes the combined ESPN-Tennis Channel television offerings.