With spring knocking hard at the door, programming on Tennis Channel is heating up on multiple platforms. The network is currently airing exclusive U.S. coverage of the BNP Paribas Open, one of the sport’s most prestigious events. Main draw coverage began this week as the event got underway in Indian Wells, CA.
Tennis Channel’s primary television network has comprehensive coverage in Indian Wells with up to 12-hour live match blocks followed by all-night encore replays. The women’s singles final will take place Sunday, March 16, at 2:00 p.m. ET with the men’s singles on the same day at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Tennis Channel on-air talent for the event includes a Who’s Who of tennis legends including Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, and Lindsay Davenport.
An International Tennis Hall of Famer, Davenport was ranked No. 1 in the world for 98 weeks and a year-end Number 1 four times, 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2005, during her illustrious playing career 1993-2010. She won three major singles titles, three major doubles championships, and a 1996 Olympic Gold Medal. She finished her pro career with a record of 753-194 in singles and 387-116 in doubles.
Davenport knows what it means to be at the top of the sport, and talks about the play of current American sensation Madison Keys. “To see the level of level of tennis she played in January, obviously she has put in a lot of hard work and taken a lot of time to really think about what kind of player she wanted to be. That’s the kind of stuff that a lot of people on the outside don’t see.”
Davenport knows what it is like to have that pressure to win at a relatively young age. She reflects on her first Grand Slam win in 1998 when she defeated Martina Hingis at the U.S. Open at age 22. “Honestly, in that era, 22 was considered quite old. I remember feeling a tremendous amount of relief for the first one.
“When you kind of carry that burden, some of it due to yourself and what you maybe hear from the media or other coaches, it can be pretty heavy.”
The BNP Paribas Open features three American women ranked in the top 5 – Keys, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. Davenport is excited to see them ply their wares in Indian Wells. “Three in the top 5 is amazing, but I still feel like they can even do more,” said Davenport.
“If you look at the players, their game styles, and where they’re at in their careers, I believe Coco at number 3 can go higher. I believe the same of Jess. We saw that at the U.S. Open. She kind of unlocked some stuff by getting past the quarters of a major for the first time and getting to her first final. I do think there’s more on the horizon. I like to look at the conditions in Indian Wells quite a bit. The courts typically play a little slower. The ball bounces a little higher, but it still travels through pretty quickly. It’s interesting.”
As a player and broadcaster, Davenport has always been known for her attention to detail. She elaborates on the weather and courts at Indian Wells and how they can affect individual play. “The difference between day and night in temperature can be at least 30 degrees or more.
“It’s very different if you have a second night match or if you play at 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. The players have to be able to adjust based on the basic weather patterns in a desert climate.
“The courts at Indian Wells favor players like Iga Swiatek or Gauff. They like a little more time and don’t like to be rushed. Players like Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, and Keys like the tennis ball skidding into them. They feel like they can use court speed to overpower opponents.”
The Buzz Surrounding The Game
After some slow years mainly due to COVID, attendance at pro tennis tournaments has been on a steady rise. Davenport relates, “It’s been amazing the last few years seeing how the fans have responded to tennis being back. People are really excited to only to see tennis, but to get up close and personal with the players.
“Tennis has a great buzz around it right now. We were a little unsure what would happen obviously when you lose an era of great stars like Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) and Serena (Williams). There was a period of uncertainty, but the next generation has really done a great job of taking control of the sport and leading with great people as well as great players.”
One of these great players is Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz who is looking for his third straight win at Indian Wells. A three-peat would put him in some heady company as only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have accomplished that feat.
“What he has been able to do, how he is able to play, and the tension that he is able to handle is quite a testament to him and his personality,” says Davenport.
Alcaraz is the favorite in everyone’s mind based on his past play. He’s one of those players who can fill a stadium and has that “It” factor. The surface at Indian Wells gives him more time to set up his forehands and hit his drop shots. He’s my favorite to win the men. Swiatek is my favorite on the women’s side.”
Davenport elaborates on Swiatek and the emotional side of her current game. “Iga is just looking a little bit pressed out there. She’s fortunate that she’s coming into one of her favorite tournaments. A lot of times those kind of good emotions can flip the switch. The court is perfect for her, but mentally, that is the biggest challenge. Is she fresh? Is she confident? Does she believe going in that she can play her best tennis and win one?”
Always with great foresight and knowledge, Davenport says that teenage stars Mirra Andreeva on the women’s side and Learner Tien in the men’s bracket could be two young stars to watch now and throughout 2025. She knows a little bit about the challenges facing young players not only from her own career but also as a tennis mom to son Jagger Leach, an up and coming player in his own right.
“The tennis parent journey is obviously a tough one,” relates Davenport. “You could ask any of the parents out there. I think it’s more of a challenge when you know so much and you’re kind of watching your own child go through it. Luckily, my husband kind of balances it out.
“As parents, we’re just proud of who he is, and the reports we get back from other people about him. Obviously, he’s a 17-year-old boy. He has his moments. It’s hard for me to watch him. I don’t know why it’s getting harder as I’m getting older. I’m trying to get better at watching him.”
Davenport: An ‘Ace’ For Tennis Channel
Tennis fans have been watching the thoughtful and insightful Davenport on Tennis Channel since 2008. Her keen eye for the game, enthusiasm for current stars, and entertaining on-air style put her on that short list of truly must-see and must-listen-to tennis broadcasters. Her eloquence clearly emanates from her passion for the sport.
She offers, “I love tennis. I think my broadcasting career officially is now longer than my playing career. It’s been amazing to see how the game has changed. Trying to understand that has been the most challenging part – just wondering how today’s players are able to hit the shots they’re hitting. That’s the part that seems so crazy.
“I’ve been really lucky. I’ve loved every single facet of my life in the sport from the juniors to the pros. For me to be able to go back to the tournaments and see the matches and broadcast them still gives me a lot of enjoyment.”
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
