Australian commercial broadcaster Network Ten has said it will not extend its rights deal for the Hopman Cup, an annual national team tournament sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation.
Ten has broadcast the Hopman Cup, which is hosted by the Australian city of Perth, since 2011. However, it said it has “decided to pass” on covering the 2013-14 event.
No other broadcaster has been announced for the tournament, which is due to be held from December 28 to January 4.
Ten said: “The network was unable to reach agreement with Hopman Cup Pty Ltd on appropriate scheduling of the event.”
The Australian newspaper said that the move was expected, with Ten focusing on the promotion of cricket’s Big Bash League. In June, Ten acquired the exclusive rights to Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition for the 2013-14 to 2017-18 seasons.
The Australian added that Ten’s Hopman Cup broadcast was also viewed as a “test of good faith and expertise” with the Australian Open tennis rights coming on the market.
Ten in June criticised Tennis Australia’s decision to award a five-year domestic rights extension for the grand slam tournament to rival broadcaster Seven as “puzzling”.
The deal for the broadcast rights to the Australian Open and Australian Open Series for 2015-19 was confirmed after Tennis Australia opted against auctioning the rights.