The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has extended its deals with its Japanese broadcast rights partners ahead of this year’s edition of the French Open grand slam tournament.
Pay-television broadcaster Wowow has agreed a multi-year extension, running from 2018, to a deal that first commenced in 1992.
Wowow is the home of grand slam tennis in Japan as it also holds the rights to Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open, while it has commenced streaming the men’s ATP World Tour this season.
Akira Tanaka, president of Wowow, said: “Roland Garros and other grand slams have contributed to develop and enhance Japan’s tennis market, and we are proud to see Japanese players Kei Nishikori (pictured) and Naomi Osaka now compete on these special stages.”
Terrestrial broadcaster TV Tokyo’s new four-year deal will run from 2018 to 2021. It will show the men’s and women’s semi-finals and finals, along with other coverage from Roland Garros.
TV Tokyo has broadcast Roland Garros for a total of 19 years, from 1993 to 2007, and 2014 to this day.
This year’s French Open takes place from May 21 to June 10.