WTA legend Chris Evert recently applauded TNT Sports’ commendable media coverage at Roland Garros. The ESPN commentator admitted to the fact that both TNT and ESPN are operating as close rivals, which is a positive sign for the sport’s rapid growth.
The statement came ahead of ESPN’s ownership of all the rights to manage the broadcast at Wimbledon.
Chris Evert Commends TNT’s Massive Success at Roland Garros
Evert started working as a tennis analyst for ESPN in 2011. The WTA legend became a part of their broadcast team for all four Grand Slam tournaments and some other select events. She also previewed the 2024 U.S. Open and regularly covers Wimbledon. Evert will be seen during the 2025 edition of the tournament, where she’s part of ESPN’s “first ball to last ball” coverage streaming on ESPN+ and ABC.
Ahead of her stint at Wimbledon, the 70-year-old applauded TNT’s performance at the 2025 French Open, where she was part of the commentary team.
“ESPN needs a little competition, and TNT, it’s like two players, top players, going at it, and they’re both going to improve in the process. So we will hopefully learn from them. They will hopefully learn from us. I think TNT was really thinking outside the box a little more, because they were so new,” she said.
Her partner-to-be at the Wimbledon coverage, John McEnroe, also added to the comparison.
“TNT is coming in fresh. It was good because they were more willing… they hadn’t done it before, so they didn’t even know. So now I think it’s going to hopefully lift up even ESPN, did a great job for a long time, but now maybe they’re going to be, ‘Hey, we’re going to look at it a little differently too,” he said.
ESPN secured exclusive U.S. coverage rights for Wimbledon 2025, continuing the long-term arrangement that runs through 2035.
Chris Evert Oozes Excitement Ahead of ESPN’s Exclusive Coverage for Wimbledon
While top-ranked players are preparing for the upcoming major event at Wimbledon, WTA legend Chris Evert is all set to offer her valuable insight. Amid the ongoing 12-year pact originally signed in July 2021, ESPN is the sole U.S. broadcaster of the Championships. Full coverage will be offered across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ABC during the middle weekend.
Ahead of the major event, the 18-time Grand Slam champion shared a post on X, expressing excitement for the major coverage.
“Can’t wait; we have a GREAT team,” she wrote.
Can’t wait; we have a GREAT team…👍@espn https://t.co/nNfkOLXRsL
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) June 24, 2025
The exciting team of commentators includes notable figures such as John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Coco Vandeweghe, Brad Gilbert, Rennae Stubbs, Sam Querrey, and others.
