Tennis

CoCo Vandeweghe, a former top-10 tennis player, has embarked on a new chapter in her career as a broadcaster. Having retired from the sport last fall, she now brings her insights and expertise to the US Open as a commentator for Tennis Channel and the BBC.Vandeweghe's journey in tennis began with a bang when she won the 2008 US Open junior title. A decade later, she triumphed in the doubles event at the same tournament, partnering with Ash Barty. Her most memorable US Open moment, however, came in 2015 when she became the first player to conduct an on-court interview after winning the first set of a match.Vandeweghe's transition to broadcasting was seamless, thanks to her deep understanding of the game and her natural ability to communicate. She credits her family's involvement in sports for her comfort with mid-game interviews. Her mother was an Olympic swimmer, her uncle a two-time NBA All-Star, and her grandfather a former NBA player.Despite her success in singles, Vandeweghe cherishes her team experiences the most. She played a pivotal role in the United States' Fed Cup victory in 2017 and helped the New York Empire win the World Team Tennis finals in 2020.While she misses the thrill of competition, Vandeweghe is content with her decision to retire. She has enjoyed the freedom to pursue other interests, such as reading and spending time with loved ones. She remains grateful for the opportunities tennis has given her and is excited about her future in broadcasting.

Larry Fitzgerald, the legendary NFL wide receiver, has sparked a debate by declaring that tennis athletes are the greatest in the world. With over 17,000 receiving yards and 121 touchdowns in his illustrious career, Fitzgerald's opinion carries significant weight.Fitzgerald's assertion stems from the unique demands of tennis. He highlights the anaerobic workout, constant change of direction, and extended rallies that require exceptional athleticism. Unlike team sports, tennis players must master all aspects of the game, from offense to defense.Andy Roddick, a former world No. 1 tennis player, agrees with Fitzgerald's assessment. He emphasizes the isolation and responsibility that tennis players face on the court. "You don't have the option of just trying harder on defense or passing the ball to affect a result," Roddick explains.CoCo Vandeweghe, another top tennis player, adds that the physicality and solitude of the sport make it particularly challenging. "It's so much more physical and you're always by yourself," she says.Steve Weissman, a tennis commentator, believes that Novak Djokovic, when at his peak, is the greatest athlete on the planet. He cites Djokovic's exceptional endurance, agility, and mental fortitude.While tennis athletes may be at the top of the list, other sports also demand extraordinary athleticism. Roddick suggests basketball, with its constant sprinting and physicality. Vandeweghe mentions ice hockey and boxing as sports that require immense strength and conditioning.Ultimately, the debate over which sport produces the greatest athletes is subjective. However, Fitzgerald's declaration and the insights from other tennis players highlight the unique challenges and demands of the sport. Tennis athletes must possess a combination of speed, power, endurance, agility, and mental toughness, making them formidable competitors in the world of sports.

Tennis Channel has announced the addition of recently retired American tennis stars John Isner and CoCo Vandeweghe to its on-air team for the upcoming BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. The tournament, scheduled from March 6-19, is considered one of the most prestigious events outside the sport's four majors.Isner, a former world No. 8 in singles and 14 in doubles, boasts 16 ATP Tour titles and eight seasons as the top-ranked American men's player. He holds the record for most aces served in ATP Tour and major singles matches with 14,411. Vandeweghe, on the other hand, was a US Open doubles champion in 2018 and a singles semifinalist at the Australian Open and US Open the year prior. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 9 in singles and 14 in doubles.Isner and Vandeweghe will join an esteemed on-air team that includes Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Jim Courier, Lindsay Davenport, and Andy Roddick. Navratilova, a former champion at both Indian Wells and Miami, will provide expert analysis alongside Courier, who won both tournaments' singles championships back-to-back in 1991. Davenport, a Southern California native, has a strong track record at Indian Wells, having won the singles title twice and the doubles title four times. Roddick, who will be an in-studio analyst during Tennis Channel's coverage of the Miami Open, has won singles championships at both events.Tennis Channel's coverage of the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open will span 25 days, from March 6-31, with over 550 hours of live and encore matches. The network's platforms, including Tennis Channel, T2, and Tennis Channel Plus, will offer comprehensive coverage of the tournaments, including live competition, match replays, and expert commentary.The BNP Paribas Open will feature live coverage on Tennis Channel most days, with lead-in show "Tennis Channel Live at the BNP Paribas Open" preceding the matches. The women's singles final is scheduled for Saturday, March 17, at 2 p.m. ET, followed by the men's singles championship at 5 p.m. ET.The Miami Open will follow a similar schedule, with "Tennis Channel Live at the Miami Open" airing at the end of live coverage most days. The women's singles final is set for Saturday, March 30, at 3 p.m. ET, with the men's final taking place the following afternoon at the same time.Tennis Channel Plus will provide live matches during both tournaments and allow viewers to select from multiple courts. All matches from both events will be available on demand after their completion.