Andy Murray – BBC Extend Commitments To AEGON Championships

Written by: Staff on 10th April 2012

Andy Murray - BBC Extend Commitments To AEGON Championships

Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates after winning a point against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their men's quarter final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2012. Murray won 6-3, 6-3 and 6-1. EPA/JOE CASTRO |

World No. 4 and defending champion Andy Murray has committed himself to the AEGON Championships for the next five years, ensuring that he will be playing at the tournament in his 30th year.

Murray burst onto the scene at The Queen’s Club in 2005 as an 18-year-old, winning his first professional matches and then losing a thrilling third round clash with the former Australian Open champion, Thomas Johansson. Murray has since won the title twice, in 2009 and 2011.

“Ever since I got my first ATP World Tour match-win at the tournament seven years ago, I have always loved playing at The Queen’s Club,” said Murray. “I’ve won the tournament twice, and I’m looking forward to trying to win it many more times in the years to come.”

Chris Kermode, Tournament Director of the AEGON Championships, said: “For Andy to commit to the AEGON Championship for the next five years on the same day as we announce the extension of our host broadcaster agreement with the BBC for the same duration, is fantastic news for the tournament. Andy is hugely popular with our spectators and I know they will be as delighted as we are to welcome him back to The Queen’s Club until at least 2018.”

BBC Extends Partnership

The AEGON Championships and the BBC extended their partnership for a further five years Tuesday, ensuring that the tournament will receive at least 20 hours of live terrestrial television coverage every year until 2016.

The BBC first began screening the prestigious grass-court event in 1979, and this deal will take coverage of international tennis at The Queen’s Club into its 40th year.

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association, said: “The AEGON Championships has a proud history and a very bright future, so it’s very exciting to extend our partnership with the BBC in telling the story of this great tournament, and in promoting our sport.”

Barbara Slater, BBC Director of Sport, said: “The AEGON Championships are a prestigious part of the tennis calendar and we’re delighted to be continuing our coverage of the tournament. With former winners such as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Boris Becker, and the 2011 Champion Andy Murray back defending his title, it’s clear to see the great heritage of the championships. We’re delighted that our viewers will be able to enjoy coverage across our TV, radio and online channels.”

This year, all seven days of the tournament will be broadcast live on BBC 1, BBC 2 and the red button, with coverage also on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website. The tournament will also be broadcast in High Definition on BBC1HD and BBC HD.

The event will also be broadcast every day by Eurosport.

(Original Story: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/04/Features/London-Murray-And-BBC-Extend-Commitments.aspx)

Topics: 10sballs.com, AEGON Championships, AEGON tennis news, Andy Murray, BBC tennis news, British tennis news, Chris Kermode, Eurosports, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Boris Becker, Scottish tennis news, Sports, The Queens Club, Thomas Johansson