CHRIS EVERT AND JOHN MCENROE RETURN TO EUROSPORT WITH NEWCOMER ILIE NASTASE AT ROLAND GARROS

Fans will be able to enjoy their expert insight during live match commentary, in-studio match analysis and dedicated French Open programming, such as the flagship analysis show ‘Game, Set and Mats’.  As part of the show, John McEnroe will return to set the tennis world to rights as ‘The Commissioner’. 

McEnroe will be hoping for better luck as ‘The Commissioner’, after all his requests for changes to the tennis rulebook – including amusingly suggesting tripling prize money for senior doubles winners like himself, forbidding bathroom breaks and permitting one broken racquet per set – were all overwhelmingly denied last year.

The star-studded line-up continues Eurosport’s commitment to offer fans the best and most locally relevant on-screen talent.  The team will share their views with fans from on-court and inside Eurosport’s studio heart of the action at Roland Garros and includes Sweden’s Mats Wilander, seven time Grand Slam including three time French Open winner, Spain’s Alex Corretja, twice French Open finalist, Austria’s Barbara Schett, former world number seven, and Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Ilie Nastase will provide expert insight and conduct interviews for his home country Romania, as well as being available for expert comment across Eurosport’s other various individual country-specific coverage.

Chris Evert said: “Eurosport is undoubtedly the home of Grand Slam tennis in Europe, at the heart of Roland Garros and all Grand Slams around the world.  I can’t wait to play my part in helping fans get closer to the action, their heroes and those historic moments you only experience during tennis’ premier tournaments.”

John McEnroe said:  “I am really looking forward to working for Eurosport again this year at Roland Garros.  I always enjoy being in Paris and commentating on great matches at the French Open.  I had so much fun last year as “THE Commissioner of Tennis”, I decided to appoint myself as “Commissioner” again this year.  Stay tuned to Eurosport where “THE Commissioner” says it like it is and you can enjoy the French Open.”

Ilie Nastase said: “Arriving in Paris and entering Roland Garros is always a special moment for me, bringing to life my cherished memories of my own victory here in 1973.  I always enjoy entertaining the fans when I’m on-court and can’t wait to do the same on-screen alongside the Eurosport team.”

Peter Hutton, CEO of Eurosport, said: “We are proud to welcome undoubtedly our best ever team of expert talent to Roland Garros this year.  Eurosport’s line-up of world-class names from tennis highlights how we offer fans both the most sought after talent and the local heroes who can best translate the thrill of Roland Garros to local audiences within the individual countries in which we broadcast.”

Eurosport will have local tennis heroes on the ground at Roland Garros giving their expert insight to fans in their home country. The team includes former world number four Nicolas Kiefer, who will fuel the passion of fans in Germany, and Conchita Martinez, Grand Slam winner and current Spanish Davis and Fed Cup Captain, who will be sharing her insights with fans in Spain.  Nine time Grand Slam doubles champion and former world number four Jonas Björkman will feature on the coverage in Sweden. In France, the charismatic Henri Leconte will be on-site helping French fans cheer on their heroes and expert analysis will be provided by Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon Champion.

For fans in Italy, Adriano Panatta, the last Italian to win the men’s French Open title 40 years ago in 1976, will be providing expert commentary throughout the tournament.  Panatta holds a highly prestigious role at this year’ French Open, having the honour of officially presenting the Coupe des Mousquetaires to this year’s men’s singles champion at Court Philippe Chatrier.

Maintaining Eurosport’s aim to allow fans to enjoy premium sport on multiple screens, every minute from every court of the French Open will be available on Eurosport Player.

ENDS.

*Eurosport will broadcast Roland Garros in 54 countries across Europe, with exclusive coverage in a number of markets including Denmark, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Sweden.