Tennis on USA

Overview

Before ESPN took over, USA Network carried the French Open on American cable from 1994 to 2001. The channel also served as the longtime cable home of the US Open, with its high-definition simulcast airing on Universal HD in 2006 and 2007. Former NFL coach Rich Kotite promoted USA’s US Open coverage in a commercial.

Commentators

Steve Alvarez and Julie Anthony are among the commentators. Tracy Austin, since retiring as a player, has worked as a commentator for NBC and the USA Network for the French Open and the US Open; she also worked for the Seven Network, which broadcasts the Australian Open, and usually participates in the BBC's Wimbledon coverage. She began working for Tennis Channel in 2010 and joined their US Open team and later their Australian Open team in 2012, and has worked for Canadian television for their coverage of the Rogers Cup since 2004.

Michael Barkann served as a field reporter for USA Network's coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships from 1991 to 2008. Mary Carillo began her television career working for USA Network from 1980 through 1987; at the 2004 Athens Games, she anchored USA Network's live, Grand Slam-style coverage of the tennis gold medal finals. Jim Courier, since his retirement as a top-level player, has served as a tennis analyst and commentator for the USA Network, NBC Sports, TNT, ITV and the Seven Network; since 2005 he has headed commentary for the host broadcaster of the Australian Open, the Seven Network, and since the 2019 Australian Open he is the main commentator for the Nine Network broadcast team, calling all centre court men's singles matches and conducting post-match on-court interviews.

Courier started working with ITV for the French Open in 2012. Vitas Gerulaitis also served as a commentator. Bill Macatee anchored coverage of the PGA Tour on the USA Network from 1990 until 2006, and his other duties included play-by-play for the U.S. Open Tennis Championship, the French Open at Roland Garros, boxing, figure skating, and other sports specials.