SBS has announced it will broadcast Roland Garros 2018: The French Open tennis tournament for the first time.
The broadcaster will follow each day’s action live from Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. The French Open is the second international tennis grand slam event of the year.
SBS’s coverage of the competition will be in HD and will span across TV, SBS On Demand and sbs.com.au/sport nightly from Sunday May 27 (see full broadcast schedule for the final rounds below). Along with this, SBS will also screen an hour-long highlights show at 5pm daily.
The French Open will mark the return of 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams to the grand slam arena. The new mum did not take part in the Australian Open earlier this year. In the men’s competition, Spaniard Rafael Nadal will return to the tournament to defend his title. If the world #1 wins grand slam, he will set a new record by winning the French Open trophy for the 11th time. Australians taking part in the grand slam tournament in 2018 are Nick Kyrgios and Ashleigh Barty.
The French Open is the first sporting event on SBS’s schedule for the winter. It will be followed by 2018 FIFA World Cup on June 14 and Tour de France on July 7.
SBS director of sport Ken Shipp said: “Australians love the drama and excitement of grand slam tennis, and SBS is pleased to broadcast the Roland Garros French Open tournament for the first time this year.
“SBS continues to secure rights to premier global sporting events, which bring together players and fans from many diverse cultures. This nightly tennis action kicks off a can’t-miss few months of the best sport from around the world right here on SBS.”
The 2018 French Open will be live, free and in HD May 27-June 10 nightly on SBS, SBS On Demand and the SBS Sport website.
SBS Broadcast Schedule: 2018 French Open – live
Sunday May 27-Monday June 4 – Round matches
10.30pm AEST
Tuesday June 5-Wednesday June 6 – Quarter Finals
10pm AEST
Thursday June 7 – Semifinals
11pm AEST
Friday June 8 – Semifinals
8.30pm AEST
Saturday June 9 – Women’s Final
11pm AEST
Sunday June 10 – Men’s Final
11pm AEST
Plus: Monday May 28-Monday June 11
Roland Garros 2018: The French Open Highlights Show
5pm-6pm AEST
Top photo: Nadal competes at the 2017 French Open (credit: Dana Gardner / Shutterstock)