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RAFAEL NADAL & SERENA WILLIAMS HEADLINE NBC SPORTS’ 2020 FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE FROM ROLAND-GARROS BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 27, LIVE AT NOON ET ON NBC

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Live Coverage from Roland-Garros Culminates with Women’s Final on Saturday, Oct. 10 & Men’s Final on Sunday, Oct. 11 on NBC

Exclusive Peacock Coverage for Third & Fourth Round Matches During the Second Weekend of the French Open – Starting Saturday, Oct. 3

Dan Hicks, Mary Carillo & John McEnroe to Call the Action Throughout NBC Sports’ French Open Coverage

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 22, 2020 – NBC Sports presents coverage of the 2020 French Open, beginning this Sunday, Sept. 27, live at Noon ET on NBC with the first round from Roland-Garros in Paris, France. Live coverage culminates with the women’s final on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. ET and the men’s final Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. ET on NBC.

Headlining the men’s competition is 19-time Grand Slam singles champion and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” who has won a record 12 French Open titles (2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2019), including the past three at Roland-Garros. With a win in Paris, Nadal would tie Roger Federer for the all-time record with 20 career men’s singles Grand Slam titles. Nadal will be joined by 17-time Grand Slam singles champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is still seeking his 18th Grand Slam singles title following his US Open disqualification two weeks ago. Djokovic, who won his only French Open title in 2016, was undefeated in 2020 before his default. World No. 3 Dominic Thiem, who lost the last two French Open finals to Nadal, is coming off his first career Grand Slam title at the US Open.

On the women’s side, 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and No. 6 seed Serena Williams looks to tie Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles and capture her fourth French Open singles title at Roland-Garros. Williams will be joined by 2018 French Open champion and World No. 2 Simona Halep who’s the tournament’s top seed. Rising American stars include 2020 Australian Open winner and No. 4 seed Sofia Kenin and Jennifer Brady, coming off her best Grand Slam singles performance with a semifinalist finish at the 2020 US Open.

Dan Hicks handles play-by-play, joined by analysts Mary Carillo and John McEnroe, who teamed to win the mixed doubles title at the 1977 French Open. McEnroe is a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.

Peacock will provide exclusive live coverage of third and fourth round French Open matches on Saturday, Oct. 3 thru Monday, Oct. 5. Upcoming live sports coverage on Peacock includes exclusive Premier League matches, an NFL Wild Card Playoff Game, and select coverage from the upcoming Tokyo and Beijing Olympics. Fans can also watch on-demand replays of events like Triple Crown horse races, daily highlights from NBC Sports, and hundreds of hours of sports series, documentaries and films such as Tiger Woods: Chasing History; 1968; I Am Ali; Dream Team; Being Evel; Feherty; Willie; and Peacock Originals Lost Speedways and In Deep with Ryan Lochte.

French Open matches on NBC and NBCSN will be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs. Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

NBC AND THE FRENCH OPEN: In 1975, NBC became the first American television network to provide coverage of the French Open when the network signed a three-year deal with the French Tennis Federation. The tournament was covered by CBS from 1980-82 and returned to NBC in 1983, where it has remained since. This is NBC’s 38th consecutive year televising the event.

Following is the schedule for NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2020 French Open:

Date Time (ET) Round Network
Sun., Sept. 27 Noon First Round (LIVE) NBC
Sat., Oct. 3 11 a.m. Third Round (LIVE) Peacock
Sun., Oct. 4 11 a.m. Fourth Round (LIVE) Peacock
Mon., Oct. 5 11 a.m. Fourth Round (LIVE) Peacock
Thurs., Oct. 8 11 a.m. Women’s Semifinals (LIVE) NBC, NBCSN
Fri., Oct. 9 11 a.m. Men’s Semifinals (LIVE) NBC, NBCSN
Sat., Oct. 10 9 a.m. Women’s Final (LIVE) NBC
Sun., Oct. 11 9 a.m. Men’s Final (LIVE) NBC

 

–NBC SPORTS–

NADAL VS. FEDERER & SERENA WILLIAMS VS. MARIA SHARAPOVA IN EPIC FINALS HIGHLIGHT NBC’S CLASSIC FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE, BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY AT 1 P.M. ET

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Five Hours of French Open Finals This Weekend on NBC Concludes Two Weekends of Classic Tennis Matches from Roland-Garros

In 2006, Nadal Becomes the Youngest Back-to-Back French Open Champion Since Bjorn Borg in 1974-75

Sunday’s Match Highlights Serena Williams’ Second French Open Victory

Content to Stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App

STAMFORD, Conn. – June 4, 2020 – NBC Sports continues encore presentations of classic French Open finals this weekend, starting Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC. This weekend’s matches are highlighted by: Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” who holds a record 12 French Open titles; 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer; 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams; and retired Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, a two-time French Open champion (2012, 2014).

Commentators for the encore finals include Ted Robinson, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

Following is a look at this weekend’s French Open finals on NBC:

DATE EVENT TIME (ET)
Saturday, June 6 2006 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 2013 French Open Women’s Final 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 – 2006 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

In 2006, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal successfully defended his French Open title by defeating top-seeded Roger Federer, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6 (4), becoming the youngest back-to-back Roland-Garros winner since Bjorn Borg in 1974-75. Nadal’s 2006 victory also helped him to an all-time record 81 consecutive clay court victories from 2005-07.

Federer suffered his first loss in a Grand Slam final in the only major he had yet to win at the time. Coming into the match, Federer had an 0-3 record against Nadal in 2006, but a perfect 44-0 record against his other opponents.

The match also marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded men in a Roland-Garros final since 1984.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 2013 FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL

In 2013, top-seeded Serena Williams defeated defending French Open champion and second-seeded Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to win her second French Open title and 16th Grand Slam singles title. In a dominant title run, Williams dropped only one set in the entire 2013 French Open tournament, to Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.

The match marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded women in a Roland-Garros final since 1995 and the first time at any Grand Slam final since the 2004 Australian Open.

Following her 2013 French Open victory, Williams extended her season winning streak to 31 matches, the longest single-season streak in 13 years. Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles to-date, just one shy of matching Australian tennis legend Margaret Court for the all-time record.

 

NBC AND THE FRENCH OPEN: In 1975, NBC became the first American television network to provide coverage of the French Open when the network signed a three-year deal with the French Tennis Federation. The tournament was covered by CBS from 1980-82 and returned to NBC in 1983, where it has remained since. This will be NBC’s 38th consecutive year televising the event.

–NBC SPORTS–

RAFAEL NADAL, ROGER FEDERER, & NOVAK DJOKOVIC HEADLINE NBC’S CLASSIC FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE, BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY AT 1 P.M. ET

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NBC Presents 11 Hours of Classic French Open Finals Over the Next Two Weekends, Highlighted by Nadal, the “King of Clay,” and Federer

This Weekend’s Matches Feature Nadal’s Record-Breaking Seventh French Open Title and Federer’s First and Only Title From Roland-Garros in 2009

Federer-Nadal and Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova Rivalries Highlighted Next Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 on NBC

Content to Stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2020 – With the French Open postponed, NBC Sports presents encore presentations of classic French Open finals over the next two weekends, starting this Saturday, May 30 at 1 p.m. ET on NBC.

This weekend’s matches are highlighted by: Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” who holds a record-breaking 12 French Open titles; 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer; 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic; and two-time French Open finalist Robin Soderling, who was the first player to defeat Nadal at the French Open. The current “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Federer, Nadal and Djokovic – are the top three players of all-time in terms of Grand Slam singles titles won with Federer holding the record, followed by Nadal (19) and Djokovic.

Commentators for all four encore final matches include: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

The complete French Open schedule on NBC over the next two weekends is below:

DATE EVENT TIME (ET)
Saturday, May 30 2012 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 31 2009 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 6 2006 French Open Men’s Final 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 2013 French Open Women’s Final 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Following is a look at this weekend’s French Open men’s finals on NBC:

SATURDAY, MAY 30 – 2012 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

In 2012, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal defeated top-seeded and first-time Roland-Garros finalist Novak Djokovic, 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5, for a record-breaking seven titles at Roland-Garros. Nadal’s seventh title surpassed Bjorn Borg for the most men’s singles wins at the French Open and tied Chris Evert’s record for most French Open titles won.

The match was played over two days due to weather delays. When play was suspended due to rain on Sunday, June 10, 2012, Nadal was leading Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2 (in the fourth set) – up two sets to one, while Djokovic led 2–1 in the fourth set. The next day, Nadal was able to regroup and take the fourth set, and ultimately the match, after Djokovic double-faulted on championship point to give Nadal his third consecutive win at Roland-Garros and seventh victory in eight years.

SUNDAY, MAY 31 – 2009 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

With an exceptional performance, Swiss star Roger Federer defeated Robin Soderling of Sweden, 6–1, 7–6 (1), 6–4, to win his first and only French Open title. This was Federer’s fourth consecutive French Open final, having lost the previous three to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal. With the win, Federer became the third man in the Open Era (following Laver and Agassi) and sixth overall competitor to complete the career Grand Slam.

No. 23 seeded Soderling greatly exceeded expectations at Roland-Garros, reaching his first Grand Slam final of his career. Leading off Sunday’s NBC broadcast, the conclusion of the tournament’s most shocking match will be shown – Soderling’s victory over four-time defending French Open champion and top-seeded Nadal in the fourth round, 6–2, 6–7 (2), 6–4, 7–6 (2). Women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova called the Nadal-Soderling match one of the greatest upsets in Grand Slam history.

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French Open encore coverage continues next weekend on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7. Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, and retired Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova, a two-time French Open champion (2012, 2014), highlight next weekend’s matches.

Following are the French Open finals on NBC next weekend:

SATURDAY, JUNE 6 – 2006 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL

In 2006, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal successfully defended his French Open title by defeating top-seeded Roger Federer, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6 (4), becoming the youngest back-to-back Roland-Garros winner since Bjorn Borg in 1974-75. Nadal’s 2006 victory also helped him to an all-time record 81 consecutive clay court victories from 2005-07.

Federer suffered his first loss in a Grand Slam final in the only major he had yet to win at the time. Coming into the match, Federer had an 0-3 record against Nadal in 2006, but a perfect 44-0 record against his other opponents.

The match also marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded men in a Roland-Garros final since 1984.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7 – 2013 FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL

In 2013, top-seeded Serena Williams defeated defending French Open champion and second-seeded Maria Sharapova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to win her second French Open title and 16th Grand Slam singles title. Williams only dropped one set the entire 2013 French Open tournament, to Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals.

After her 2013 French Open victory, Williams extended her season winning streak to 31 matches, the longest single-season streak in 13 years. Williams would go on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles to-date, just one shy of matching Australian tennis legend Margaret Court for the all-time record.

The match marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded women in a Roland-Garros final since 1995 and the first time at any Grand Slam final since the 2004 Australian Open.

 

NBC AND THE FRENCH OPEN: In 1975, NBC became the first American television network to provide coverage of the French Open when the network signed a three-year deal with the French Tennis Federation. The tournament was covered by CBS from 1980-82 and returned to NBC in 1983, where it has remained since. This will be NBC’s 38th consecutive year televising the event.

 

–NBC SPORTS–

RAFAEL NADAL – “KING OF CLAY” – HEADLINES TONIGHT’S FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE, STARTING AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

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NBCSN’s Eight Hours of French Open Finals Concludes Three Days of Classic Tennis Matches During this Week’s NBC Sports From The Vault

Nadal’s First French Open Title in 2005 Highlights the Beginning of His Unprecedented Run of Success at Roland-Garros

NBC Sports’ Dan Hicks Hosts Tonight’s Coverage

STAMFORD, Conn. – May 20, 2020 – Rafael Nadal, the “King of Clay,” headlines eight hours of French Open finals during this week’s NBC Sports From the Vault, beginning tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Nadal’s three victories tonight include two matches against rival and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

This week, NBC Sports presents nearly 55 hours of classic sports events from the past 40 years, featuring Notre Dame Football, the Orange Bowl, MLB classics, Wimbledon, French Open, PGA TOUR and Ryder Cup.

NBC Sports’ French Open play-by-play commentator Dan Hicks will introduce tonight’s tennis coverage. Match presentations will include a specialized ticker featuring live tweets. Fans can tweet #NBCSNVault for the chance to see their tweets live on air.

Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 – FRENCH OPEN

Tonight’s coverage highlights three (of a record-breaking 12) French Open tournament victories by Rafael Nadal, including two against rival and 2009 French Open champion Roger Federer.

2005 was the beginning of an unprecedented run of success at Roland-Garros for Nadal, who won his first French Open and Grand Slam title. Nadal earned his second consecutive French Open title in 2006, handing Federer his first loss in a Grand Slam final. In 2011, Nadal’s sixth French Open title tied former Swedish star Bjorn Borg for the most wins at Roland-Garros.

Commentators for all three encore men’s final matches include: Ted Robinson, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo.

EVENT TIME (ET) NETWORK
2006 French Open Men’s Final 7 p.m. NBCSN
2011 French Open Men’s Final 10 p.m. NBCSN
2005 French Open Men’s Final 12:30 a.m. NBCSN

 

2006 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL AT 7 P.M. ET

In 2006, No. 2 seeded Rafael Nadal successfully defended his French Open title by defeating top-seeded Roger Federer, 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6 (4), becoming the youngest back-to-back Roland-Garros winner since Bjorn Borg in 1974-75. Nadal’s 2006 victory also helped him to an all-time record 81 consecutive clay court victories from 2005-07.

Federer suffered his first loss in a Grand Slam final in the only major he had yet to win at the time. Coming into the match, Federer had an 0-3 record against Nadal in 2006, but a perfect 44-0 record against his other opponents.

The match also marked the first meeting of the top-two seeded men in a Roland-Garros final since 1984.

2011 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL AT 10 P.M. ET

World No. 1 and top-seeded Rafael Nadal defeated third-seeded Roger Federer, 7–5, 7–6 (3), 5–7, 6–1, in the 2011 French Open final, which lasted three hours and 40 minutes. Tied with Bjorn Borg for the most wins at Roland-Garros, Nadal’s sixth French Open title also marked the first time since 2001 that the men’s top seed won the tournament.

With the victory, Nadal improved to 5-0 overall (4-0 in finals) against Federer at Roland-Garros, and earned his 10th Grand Slam title. The only time Federer won the French Open was in 2009, a tournament he didn’t face Nadal, who was upset by eventual French Open runner-up Robin Soderling in the fourth round.

2005 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL AT 12:30 A.M. ET

In 2005, 19-year-old Rafael Nadal won his first French Open and Grand Slam title after defeating Argentina’s Mariano Puerta, 6–7 (6), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5. This marked Nadal’s first appearance at Roland-Garros and first Grand Slam final. With his victory, Nadal became the first player to win the French Open in his Roland-Garros debut since Mats Wilander in 1982, and the youngest French Open champion since 17-year-old Michael Chang in 1989.

This was also the beginning of an unprecedented run of success at Roland-Garros for Nadal, who would go on to earn a record-breaking 12 French Open titles.

Below is each night’s highlighted content throughout the week:

    • Wednesday, May 20: French Open
    • Thursday, May 21: Notre Dame Football
    • Friday, May 22: MLB Classics
    • Saturday, May 23: PGA TOUR (Arnold Palmer Invitational) and Ryder Cup
    • Sunday, May 24: PGA TOUR (THE PLAYERS Championship) and Ryder Cup

 

–NBC SPORTS–

SERENA, VENUS, FEDERER, AND AGASSI RETURN TONIGHT AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN, HIGHLIGHTING OPENING NIGHT OF NBC SPORTS FROM THE VAULT

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Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi’s First French Open Titles Highlight Tonight’s Coverage, Starting at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN

NBC Sports’ French Open Commentator Dan Hicks will Host Tonight’s Tennis Coverage

50+ Hours of Classic Sports Moments from Notre Dame Football, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, NHL Classics, French Open & PGA TOUR Throughout the Week

Content to Stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App

STAMFORD, Conn. – April 27, 2020 – NBC Sports From the Vault begins today at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN with classic French Open finals featuring Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. This week NBC Sports will be presenting more than 50 hours of classic sports events from the past 45+ years throughout the week, featuring Notre Dame Football, the Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, NHL classics, French Open and PGA TOUR.

NBC Sports’ French Open play-by-play commentator Dan Hicks will introduce tonight’s tennis coverage. Match presentations will include a specialized ticker featuring live tweets. Fans can tweet #NBCSNVault for the chance to see their tweets live on air.

Programming will also stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

MONDAY, APRIL 27 – FRENCH OPEN

The opening night of NBC Sports From the Vault, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, features three classic French Open finals: Andre Agassi and Roger Federer completing the career Grand Slam, in 1999 and 2009, respectively, and Serena Williams defeating sister, Venus Williams, for her first career French Open title in 2002.

Commentators on the encore matches from Roland Garros include: Dick Enberg, John McEnroe and Bud Collins for the 1999 men’s final; McEnroe, Collins, Ted Robinson and Chris Evert for the 2002 women’s final; and Robinson, McEnroe and Mary Carillo for the 2009 men’s final.

EVENT TIME (ET) NETWORK
1999 French Open Men’s Final 7 p.m. NBCSN
2002 French Open Women’s Final 10:30 p.m. NBCSN
2009 French Open Men’s Final 12:30 a.m. NBCSN

 

1999 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL AT 7 P.M. ET

In a comeback for the ages, Agassi rallied from two sets down to win the 1999 French Open against former world No. 4 Andrei Medvedev of Ukraine, 1–6, 2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4. This marked Agassi’s first French Open win after losses in the final at the beginning of his career to Andres Gomez of Ecuador in 1990 and fellow American tennis legend Jim Courier in 1991.

With the win, Agassi became the second man to complete a career Grand Slam in the Open Era, following tennis legend Rod Laver in 1969. At the time, Laver played his tournaments only on grass and clay, making Agassi the first man to accomplish the feat on three surfaces (grass, clay and hard courts).

2002 FRENCH OPEN WOMEN’S FINAL AT 10:30 P.M. ET

In the fourth Grand Slam matchup (second final) between the Williams sisters, Serena defeated Venus in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, to win her first French Open title. For Serena, this was the first step towards four consecutive Grand Slam wins over two seasons, completing the self-styled “Serena Slam,” in 2002-03.

Serena would go on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles to-date, just one shy of matching Australian tennis legend Margaret Court for the all-time record.

2009 FRENCH OPEN MEN’S FINAL AT 12:30 A.M. ET

With an exceptional performance, Swiss star Federer defeated No. 23-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden, 6–1, 7–6(1), 6–4, to win his first French Open title. This was Federer’s fourth consecutive French Open final, having lost the previous three to Spanish rival Rafael Nadal.

With the win, Federer became the third man in the Open Era (following Laver and Agassi) and sixth overall to complete the career Grand Slam. Federer was presented with the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy by Agassi, the 1999 French Open champion.

Below is each night’s highlighted content throughout the week:

    • Monday, April 27: French Open
    • Tuesday, April 28: NHL Classics
    • Wednesday, April 29: Notre Dame Football
    • Thursday, April 30: Orange Bowl
    • Friday, May 1: Fiesta Bowl and Orange Bowl
    • Saturday, May 2: Rose Bowl
    • Sunday, May 3: PGA TOUR (THE PLAYERS Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational)

 

–NBC SPORTS–