Tournaments & Events

How to Watch Tennis Tournaments in 2025 – Grand Slam Viewing Guide

Did you know tennis tournaments attract over 1 billion viewers worldwide each year? Finding where to watch these thrilling matches, however, can feel like navigating a complex tournament bracket.

The tennis landscape constantly evolves with broadcasting rights shifting between networks and streaming platforms. Fortunately, this comprehensive guide will help you catch every serve, volley, and match point throughout the 2025 season. From the scorching courts of Melbourne to the prestigious grass at Wimbledon, we’ll cover all your viewing options.

Whether you’re in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, or elsewhere, we’ve mapped out the best ways to watch each Grand Slam. You’ll discover free-to-air channels, paid subscription services, and even methods to access geo-restricted content. Furthermore, we’ve included practical tips to enhance your viewing experience across devices.

Let’s ensure you never miss another championship point in the exciting 2025 tennis tournaments season!

2025 Tennis Calendar Overview

The professional tennis circuit spans almost 11 months annually, creating an action-packed calendar for fans to follow. In 2025, players will compete across 29 countries in a series of carefully structured tournaments.

Key dates for Grand Slams and Masters 1000

Mark your calendars for the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments that anchor the tennis schedule:

  • Australian Open: January 12-26, Melbourne, Australia (Hard court)
  • French Open: May 25-June 8, Paris, France (Clay court)
  • Wimbledon: June 30-July 13, London, UK (Grass court)
  • US Open: August 25-September 7, New York, USA (Hard court)

The nine Masters 1000 events—where winners earn 1,000 ranking points—complement these major tournaments. The schedule begins with back-to-back American hard court events at Indian Wells (March 5-16) and Miami (March 19-30). The clay court swing follows with Monte-Carlo (April 6-13), Madrid (April 23-May 4), and Rome (May 7-18). After Wimbledon, hard courts return with tournaments in Toronto (July 27-August 7), Cincinnati (August 7-18), Shanghai (October 1-12), and finally the indoor Paris Masters (October 27-November 2).

ATP and WTA season highlights

The ATP Tour features 60 tournaments across various tiers, while the WTA Tour includes 55 announced tournaments. Both tours begin in Australia with the United Cup, a mixed-gender team event starting December 27, 2024.

For the women’s tour, notable modifications include the introduction of the LTA London Championships, transforming Queen’s Club into a joint ATP/WTA event. The season concludes with the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November.

The men’s schedule features several significant changes, including:

  • Extension of the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open to 12-day events
  • Three additional ATP 500 tournaments with Dallas, Doha, and Munich joining the category
  • Relocation of the Cordoba Open to Mallorca

At the top level, both tours maintain similar structures with Grand Slams, 1000-level events, and 500/250 tournaments forming the competitive hierarchy.

How the tennis calendar is structured

The tennis season follows a geographical and surface-based progression. It begins on hard courts in Australia and Asia during January, then moves to indoor hard courts in Europe and outdoor hard courts in North America through February and March.

April signals the start of the European clay court swing, leading to Roland Garros in late May. Subsequently, June transitions to grass courts in preparation for Wimbledon. After a brief return to clay in July for select tournaments, the tour shifts back to hard courts for the North American summer swing and Asian tournaments in September and October.

The season structure balances different surfaces throughout the year:

  • Hard courts: January-March, July-November
  • Clay courts: April-June, with select July events
  • Grass courts: June-July (shortest segment)

This careful organization allows players to compete across all surfaces while maintaining a logical geographical flow to minimize travel demands. The season concludes with the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin (November 9-16) and WTA Finals in Riyadh, bringing together the year’s top performers before the brief off-season.

Where to Watch Each Grand Slam

Broadcasting rights for major tennis tournaments have become increasingly valuable, with networks paying billions for exclusive coverage. Each Grand Slam features different broadcast partners across regions, giving viewers multiple ways to catch the action.

Australian Open: ESPN, Eurosport, 9Now

The first major of the year offers extensive viewing options across platforms. In the United States, ESPN secures comprehensive coverage with daily marathon broadcasts across ESPN, ESPN2, and their streaming service ESPN+. The network provides qualifying round coverage, first-round matches, and continues through the finals, with broadcast times adjusted for the significant time difference between Australia and North America.

Australian viewers can catch their home tournament on Channel 9, Fox Sports, and Kayo. The free-to-air option through Channel 9 ensures widespread accessibility for local fans.

Canadian tennis enthusiasts can watch complete coverage through TSN, which holds the rights for the entire tournament.

French Open: TNT Sports, France TV, SonyLIV

The clay court Grand Slam underwent a significant broadcast change in 2025. Warner Bros. Discovery secured a 10-year agreement worth approximately USD 650 million to air the French Open in the United States. This deal represents a substantial increase from the previous USD 12 million per year the French Tennis Federation received from NBC and Tennis Channel.

Under this new arrangement, TNT serves as the lead network for coverage, with additional matches airing on TBS and truTV. Every match from Roland Garros is also streamed on Max. In the UK, TNT Sports and discovery+ broadcast the tournament.

Tennis legend Andre Agassi joins as an analyst for the tournament’s coverage, adding expert insights to the broadcasts.

Wimbledon: BBC, ESPN, Star Sports

The prestigious grass court championship reaches audiences in over 220 territories through 39 broadcast agreements. The All England Club prioritizes placing at least part of The Championships on national free-to-air television in most regions.

In the United Kingdom, the BBC offers free comprehensive coverage through BBC iPlayer, requiring only account creation and a valid TV license. Meanwhile, American viewers can watch through ESPN, with coverage spanning ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC networks.

The tournament’s production is impressive in scale – over 165 host cameras and 200 microphones capture more than 1,500 hours of match coverage throughout the fortnight. Wimbledon holds historical significance in broadcasting as the first-ever color broadcast in Britain in 1967.

Australian viewers can access Wimbledon through 9Now with a free account, though this service primarily streams only the main feed. For complete coverage, Stan Sport offers a premium option, requiring a base plan plus the Stan Sport add-on.

US Open: ESPN, Sky Sports, TSN

ESPN dominates US Open coverage with a massive USD 2.04 billion deal to air the tournament through 2037. This agreement provides exclusive coverage across ESPN’s family of networks and digital platforms.

The tournament features a comprehensive broadcast schedule spanning qualifiers through finals. First-round coverage begins with ESPN and ESPN2, with primetime matches receiving special attention. The men’s singles final airs on ABC, bringing the championship to broadcast television.

In Canada, TSN provides complete tournament coverage, alongside its French-language counterpart RDS.

For viewers without cable subscriptions, streaming options include ESPN Unlimited at USD 29.99 per month, which provides access to all ESPN networks plus ABC. Alternatively, ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+) offers access at USD 11.99 monthly.

Streaming Platforms by Region

Finding the right streaming platform for tennis tournaments differs significantly across regions, with each country offering unique options to catch your favorite matches.

USA: ESPN+, Tennis Channel, FuboTV

American tennis fans enjoy robust streaming options through ESPN+, which delivers extensive coverage of all Grand Slams alongside tournament highlights and replays. For USD 11.99 monthly, viewers access matches from the US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open, although certain high-profile matches may appear exclusively on main ESPN channels. Tennis Channel provides dedicated 24/7 coverage of ATP & WTA tours, including Masters 1000, 500s, and 250s events. FuboTV offers a comprehensive alternative with multiple tiers starting with the Pro plan, bundling ESPN, NBC, and Tennis Channel into one service.

UK: Sky Sports, BBC iPlayer, discovery+

British viewers primarily access tennis through Sky Sports, which broadcasts WTA and ATP tournaments for £14.99 monthly. This subscription includes all 12 Sky Sports channels plus additional “Sky Sports+” streams specifically for tennis tournaments like the US Open. BBC iPlayer remains the go-to free option for Wimbledon, requiring only account registration and a valid TV license. Additionally, discovery+ offers Eurosport channels for £6.99 monthly (Standard plan) or can be upgraded to Premium at £30.99 to include TNT Sports coverage.

Australia: Stan Sport, 9Now

Down Under, tennis enthusiasts have access to free tournament viewing through 9Now, particularly for the Australian Open and Wimbledon. For comprehensive coverage, Stan Sport offers premium options starting at USD 12 monthly for the basic package plus an additional USD 15 monthly for the Sport add-on, which gets charged immediately. Channel 9 broadcasts the Australian Open free-to-air, ensuring nationwide accessibility.

India: SonyLIV, JioCinema

Indian tennis fans recently gained a significant viewing option with JioHotstar securing a three-year partnership with Tennis Premier League beginning with TPL Season 7. This collaboration allows fans across the country to access live matches, highlights, and exclusive features through JioHotstar’s platforms. For 2025, JioHotstar will also stream US Open matches. SonyLIV continues as a mainstream option for major tournaments.

Canada: TSN, RDS

Canadian viewers access tennis primarily through TSN, which broadcasts all four Grand Slams alongside WTA 1000 events. The full TSN subscription (USD 24.99 monthly) provides access to all five TSN channels plus major golf tournaments and Formula 1 coverage. French-language coverage comes via RDS, while additional WTA tour matches appear on DAZN and WTA TV through paid online subscriptions. For budget-conscious fans, CBC Gem offers free ad-supported streams for select events.

Free vs Paid Viewing Options

Cost considerations often determine how fans access their favorite tennis tournaments. Fortunately, both free and premium options exist across most regions.

Free-to-air channels by country

Several countries offer free broadcast options for major tennis events. In Italy, Rai channels televise the ATP Finals without charge, allowing viewers to stream matches through the Rai Play streaming service with basic registration. The UK benefits from BBC’s comprehensive Wimbledon coverage via BBC iPlayer, requiring only account creation and a valid TV license.

Smart TV owners can access free tennis content through various built-in channels. Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, and TCL Channel all offer Tennis Channel at no cost. Similarly, platforms like Amazon Prime, Rakuten TV (UK), and FreeLiveSports include Tennis Channel in their existing services.

For budget-conscious viewers, official tournament websites occasionally feature free live streams or highlight reels, especially during early rounds. Social media platforms likewise provide clips and match summaries shortly after games conclude.

Subscription services and pricing

Dedicated tennis streaming services offer comprehensive tournament coverage:

  • Tennis Channel: USD 9.99/month or USD 109.99/year for over 100 tournaments and thousands of matches
  • ESPN Select (formerly ESPN+): USD 11.99/month for access to Grand Slams and other tennis coverage
  • ESPN Unlimited: USD 29.99/month for all ESPN networks plus ABC

These services provide both live events and on-demand replays, enabling fans to watch at their convenience.

Bundled sports packages to consider

For viewers seeking broader sports coverage alongside tennis, several options merit consideration:

DirecTV’s Choice tier includes Tennis Channel among 125+ networks at USD 115/month with a USD 35 discount for the first month and a five-day free trial. Alternatively, FuboTV’s Elite plan carries Tennis Channel within its 250+ channel lineup for USD 105/month (USD 30 discount for first month).

For cost-conscious fans, Sling TV offers more affordable access. After selecting either Orange or Blue base packages, add Sports Extra for USD 11 to receive Tennis Channel.

Cable subscribers generally enjoy direct access to tennis broadcasts, yet cord-cutting alternatives now deliver comparable coverage without long-term contracts. Importantly, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV (streaming), FuboTV, and Spectrum TV customers may already receive ESPN Unlimited through their existing packages.

Rather than committing to year-round subscriptions, consider timing purchases around specific tournaments of interest, especially if you primarily follow the Grand Slams.

Tips for a Better Viewing Experience

For tennis enthusiasts seeking to optimize their viewing experience, several technical solutions can transform how you follow tennis tournaments throughout the season.

Using VPNs for international access

Traveling abroad often means losing access to your favorite tennis broadcasts due to regional restrictions. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) solves this problem by changing your digital location to your home country. This technology proves particularly valuable during Grand Slams when coverage varies significantly by region. VPNs offer additional benefits beyond access—they prevent internet service providers from detecting streaming activity and imposing selective speed throttling that could cause buffering during crucial match points.

First-rate VPNs maintain servers in over 100 countries, ensuring you can connect to appropriate locations for any tournament. While free VPNs exist, they typically impose data limitations that support only a handful of matches before cutting off. For consistent tennis viewing, investing in a premium service proves worthwhile.

Watching on mobile vs smart TV

Despite preferences for large screens, more sports fans (65%) watch content on smartphones compared to televisions (43%). Each viewing method offers distinct advantages:

  • Mobile viewing: Provides convenience, easy transport, and built-in notifications
  • Smart TV/desktop: Delivers superior screen size, better audio quality, and smoother playback

Tennis TV supports numerous devices, including iPhones/iPads (iOS 13.4+), Android devices (OS 8.1+), Samsung TVs (2017+), LG Smart TVs (2017+), Apple TV (4th gen+), and various streaming devices. For those without compatible smart TVs, casting options via Chromecast or Airplay bridge the gap between mobile convenience and big-screen viewing.

Setting alerts for match times

Never miss your favorite player’s matches by configuring personalized alerts. Tennis TV’s mobile app allows you to receive notifications when preferred players take the court. To activate this feature:

  1. Download the Tennis TV app and enable notifications
  2. Navigate to account preferences or the players screen
  3. Mark players with the star symbol to receive alerts

These customized notifications ensure you catch every match, regardless of time zone differences or scheduling changes.

Following live scores and replays

When unable to watch matches live, real-time score services provide comprehensive updates. FlashScore delivers instant tennis results from over 5,000 competitions worldwide, including detailed statistics like aces, double faults, and serve percentages. Their real-time service updates automatically without manual refreshing, making it ideal for following multiple tournaments simultaneously.

Most dedicated tennis platforms now offer on-demand replays, allowing fans to watch complete matches at convenient times, preserving the tournament experience even when unable to view live broadcasts.

Conclusion

Tennis viewing options have undoubtedly expanded for the 2025 season, giving fans unprecedented access to every tournament throughout the year. Whether you prefer watching the Australian Open on ESPN, catching Roland Garros on TNT Sports, enjoying Wimbledon through BBC, or following the US Open via ESPN’s comprehensive coverage, countless paths exist to satisfy your tennis viewing needs.

Certainly, your location plays a significant role in determining the best viewing solution. American viewers benefit from ESPN+ and Tennis Channel subscriptions, while British fans can access Sky Sports and BBC iPlayer for comprehensive coverage. Australian tennis enthusiasts rely on Stan Sport and 9Now, whereas Canadian viewers turn to TSN for their tennis fix.

Budget considerations matter just as much as geographical location. Free-to-air options exist across many regions, especially for Grand Slam tournaments. Additionally, subscription services offer more extensive coverage at various price points, allowing you to choose based on your viewing priorities and financial constraints.

Therefore, armed with this comprehensive guide, you can now confidently navigate the complex world of tennis broadcasting rights. Remember to utilize VPNs when traveling abroad, set up alerts for your favorite matches, and consider which viewing device best suits your needs. Most importantly, enjoy every serve, volley, and championship point throughout the thrilling 2025 tennis season!

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