Nine Tennis Coverage

Television Nine Network
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Brisbane International

From Monday 31 December

In one of the strongest fields assembled in its 11-year history, six Grand Slam champions will headline the Brisbane International when it is broadcast across Nine’s suite of channels from Monday, December 31.

James Bracey , Erin Molan and Tim Gilbert will front the network’s live coverage of the week-long tournament from the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane.

Commentary will be provided by Jelena Dokic , Sam Smith , Sam Groth , John Millman , Josh Eagle , Roger Rasheed , Peter Donegan , Louise Pleming and Geoff Masters .

Additional reporting will be provided by Brisbane’s own Alison Ariotti and Michael Atkinson .

The Brisbane International consists of a men’s, women’s and doubles draw and is widely regarded as the premier warm-up for the Australian Open. All matches are played as best of three sets.

Grand Slam champions Rafael Nadal (ESP), Andy Murray (GBR), Naomi Osaka (JPN), Sloane Stephens (USA), Petra Kvitova (CZE), and Sam Stosur (AUS) are among an all-star lineup starting their Australian summer in the Queensland capital.

Defending men’s champion Nick Kyrgios (AUS) returns alongside former Brisbane champions and finalists Grigor Dimitrov (BUL), Milos Raonic (CAN), Ryan Harrison (USA) and Kei Nishikori (JPN).

In the women’s draw, defending Brisbane champion Elina Svitolina (UKR), 2016 winner Karolina Pliskova (CZE), Kiki Bertens (NED) and Daria Kasatkina (RUS) round out the top 10 group bound for Brisbane.

Victoria’s Daria Gavrilova will support Sam Stosur to provide Australian resistance on home soil.

ATP Newcomer of the Year and joint Newcombe Medal winner, Alex de Minaur from New South Wales, is set to ignite Pat Rafter Arena again, 12 months after bursting onto the world stage at last year’s Brisbane International. As a wildcard, de Minaur defeated the then world No. 24, Milos Raonic, on his way to a first tour-level semi-final.

Crowd favourites John Millman from Queensland, Jordan Thompson from NSW and Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will bolster the stellar men’s field.

Broadcast Schedule

DATE SYD & MELB BRISBANE ADELAIDE PERTH
Mon, Dec 31 12:00-18:00 9GO! 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9GO! 09:00-15:00 9GO!
20:00-23:30 9GO! 19:00-22:30 9GO! 19:30-23:00 9GO! 17:00-20:30 9GO!
Tue, Jan 1 12:00-18:00 9GO! 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9GO! 09:00-15:00 9GO!
20:00-23:30 9GO! 19:00-22:30 9GO! 19:30-23:00 9GO! 17:00-20:30 9GO!
Wed, Jan 2 12:00-18:00 9GO! 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9GO! 09:00-15:00 9GO!
20:00-23:30 9GO! 19:00-22:30 9GO! 19:30-23:00 9GO! 17:00-20:30 9GO!
Turs, Jan 3 12:00-18:00 9GO! 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9GO! 09:00-15:00 9GO!
20:00-23:30 9GO! 19:00-22:30 9GO! 19:30-23:00 9GO! 17:00-20:30 9GO!
Fri, Jan 4 12:00-18:00 9GO! 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9GO! 09:00-15:00 9GO!
20:00-23:30 9GO! 19:00-22:30 9GO! 19:30-23:00 9GO! 17:00-20:30 9GO!
Sat, Jan 5 12:00-18:00 9Gem 11:00-17:00 Nine 11:30-17:30 9Gem 09:00-15:00 9Gem
19:00-23:30 9GO! 18:00-22:30 9GO! 18:30 23:00 9GO! 16:00-20:30 9GO!
Sun, Jan 6 16:00-19:00 9GO! 15:00-17:00 Nine 15:30-18:30 9GO! 13:00-16:00 9GO!
19:00-22:00 9GO! 17:00-21:00 9GO! 18:30-21:30 9GO! 16:00-19:00 9GO!
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First time Peter Donegan calling sport for Nine? (I know he is a freelancer)
Also the first time there is whole day of live sport on 9GO!

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No, 2012 Olympics spring to mind.

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If I could recommend something to Nine, it would be to not have the host interrupt all the time reminding /welcoming to change channels.

In recent years with the addition of multi-channels, hearing Hamish McLachlan or Jim Wilson out of the blue, abruptly babble “for our QLD viewers to continue please switch” … pause for 5sec … “and welcome to our QLD viewers”.

And you can bet your bottom dollar it’d happen during a thrilling and tense moment (tie break, set point, long rally whatever).

Anyone else think its unnecessary, with on air graphics good enough? Or at least just get in the main caller’s ear piece and tell them (Woodbridge, etc) to advise it?

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That’s all Nine did for the cricket when they went to the news and the cricket moved to Gem.

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Tie breaks are introduced after 6-6 in the fifth set.

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No. In the deciding set of all AO matches they will play a tie break at 6 all. The difference is it wont be a traditional first to 7 TB, it’ll be a first to 10 TB.

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Whilst 5 set matches and now tie breaks to 10 with 2 points clear can still potentially go for hours, espeically if long rallys and slow pace.

But it should reduce at least a potential hour? (e.g.) no more ridiculous “40-38” finishes in this case :sleeping:

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What’s ridiculous is this new rule. Pathetic decision personally. Knee jerk reaction. May as well get to 6-6 and toss a coin.

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Totally agree, I don’t mind the new rules at Wimbledon 12-12 as it’s essentially an extra set, four extra points is a bit deflating.

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Happy about Peter Donegan being apart of Nine’s team, he is an excellent sports broadcaster IMO.

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12 all I’m fine with. Next step will be the push towards all Slams being best of 3 sets. Hopefully I’m long gone by that time!

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I’m sure 9 earlier advertised Williams v Federer… really? Female v male? Or did they mean in the Hopman Cup where their respective countries may play against each other?

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They meant that Serena and Federer will both be playing on New Years Day at the Hopman Cup. So they will be versing each other in the mixed doubles.

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Thanks

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Versus is a preposition, not a verb.
So it’s versus, not versing.

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They will be playing each other. I was also going to mention it, but didn’t lol

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No, they’ll be playing each other. Have a gander at this:

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Worryingly, I hear it often and from people who ought to know better.

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betterer :grinning: