TNT Agrees to Massive New Deal to Broadcast French Open, per Report

June 7, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

The French Open will have a new television partner beginning in 2025.

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported Friday that Warner Bros. Discovery—the home of TNT Sports— have agreed to a 10-year deal worth $650 million to televise the French Open in the United States. The deal starts in 2025 and runs through ’34.

NBC has broadcast the French Open in the United States every year since 1975, aside from 1980 to ’82 when CBS aired the event.

TNT Sports is best known for its NBA coverage, although the future of that partnership is in jeopardy as the league searches for a new television rights contract after the 2024-25 season. Multiple reports in recent months indicate the NBA is preparing to leave TNT behind as ESPN, NBC and Amazon will become its new broadcast partners.

Tennis isn’t the only sport Warner Bros. Discovery has splurged on outside of basketball in recent weeks. Last month, ESPN agreed to sublicense coverage of select College Football Playoff games to TNT for the next five years.

While the future of TNT’s beloved Inside the NBA show featuring Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal hangs in the balance, the network is set to head to the clay courts next spring.

8 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz Odds and Pick for French Open Finals

A new French Open champion will be crowned on Sunday with Alexander Zverev gunning for his first Grand Slam title against two-time Grand Slam champ Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, the heavy favorite to claim his first title at Roland-Garros, is off a five set thriller against soon-to-be-named No. 1 player in the world Jannik Sinner, while Zverev finally breakthrough after making three consecutive semifinals in the French Open, beating Casper Ruud in four sets.

Zverev has had a grueling journey to his second ever Grand Slam title, starting by beating the best clay court player in Rafael Nadal, playing two five set matches, and now facing arguably the future of the sport in Alcaraz.

The Spaniard is the heavy favorite, here’s our full betting preview for the French Open Finals.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 38.5 (Over -112/Under -118)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

The question surrounding this one will be if Zverev can finally get the monkey off his back and win a Grand Slam title.

Despite some long matches, Zverev has been at the top of his game in 2024, one set away from advancing to the Australian Open Finals and 12 straight wins on this surface that includes a title in Rome. However, this will be by far his stiffest test against the phenom that is Alcaraz.

Fitness concerns have plagued Alcaraz for much of this year, but there has been no denying his excellence at Roland-Garros. Last year, as the tournament favorite, Alcaraz lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, cramping up in the middle of the match. Can he avenge his own loss?

There is no denying Alcaraz is the better player, and that’s indicated in the odds, but Zverev has proven to be capable of neutralizing some of the Spainard’s physical success on the court, sporting an elite backhand.

It’s worth noting that Zverev leads the head-to-head between the two 5-4, winning two of three on this surface, including a four set victory at the 2022 French Open.

Alcaraz has the firepower to win this match in straight sets, but Zverev has improved on his service games to drag matches into tiebreakers and extend the match.

An upset could be brewing at Roland-Garros, but I believe it will take a while. I’ll go for the over games as my preferred bet in the French Open Finals.

PICK: OVER 38.5 Games (-112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

3 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Novak Djokovic Survives Five-Set Thriller to Advance to French Open Quarterfinal

Novak Djokovic faced quite a difficult test during his fourth round match at the French Open on Monday.

The World No. 1 defeated No. 23 Francisco Cerúndolo after being down 2–1 sets in a five-set thriller, 6–1, 5–7, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. The match lasted four hours and 39 minutes.

Djokovic was close to losing the match in the fourth set as Cerúndolo held a 4–2 lead. The 24-time Grand Slam champion came back to tie 4–4, then eventually won the set. This momentum propelled him to victory in the final set.

With this win, Djokovic also made tennis history by surpassing Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam match wins in history.

Back to back five set victories! 💥 @DjokerNole fights past Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final 8 in Paris. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/iEeB1e9mRO
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 3, 2024

Monday's fourth round match was reminiscent of Djokovic's third round match, which he also won in five sets. Djokovic won the first set vs. Lorenzo Musetti, then dropped the next two before winning the final two sets. It's been a long week for Djokovic on the court, to say the least.

The fourth round win didn't come without other obstacles, too. The 37-year-old appeared to injure his knee in the second set, which caused him to plead for the grounds crew to sweep the court more often. The umpire denied his request.

The reigning French Open champion now awaits the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.

2 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Novak Djokovic Ties Roger Federer’s Record With 369th Grand Slam Singles Match Win

When fans watched Novak Djokovic crush Robby Ginepri 6–0, 6–0, 6–3 in the first round of the 2005 French Open, could they have known what was coming next?

That turned out to be the first Grand Slam match win for Djokovic, who won his 369th such match Friday against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 7–5, 6–7 (8), 2–6, 6–3, 6–0. With the win, he tied Swiss legend Roger Federer's record. Rafael Nadal is third with 314.

Musetti did not make it easy on Djokovic, but the 37-year-old defending champion recovered to take the final two sets. He will play Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo Monday morning in the fourth round.

Novak is on the brink of history, once again. pic.twitter.com/Vbtoni5tcb
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 2, 2024

Djokovic's first match victory in a major came mere days after he turned 18, and took place so long ago that he won it while representing Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro gained its independence from Serbia a year later.

Djokovic remains in search of his record 25th major championship.

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TNT Agrees to Massive New Deal to Broadcast French Open, per Report

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Jimm Sallivan