Mumbai: Sports broadcaster, Sony Sports Network has announced that former Indian tennis player Sania Mirza has extended her association as the brand ambassador for tennis that includes Grand Slams – Roland Garros, US Open and Australian Open among other tennis properties from the broadcaster’s sports portfolio. Mirza will next be seen as the expert panellist on Sony Sports Network’s flagship studio show ‘Extraaa Serve’ during the live coverage of Roland Garros.
The event starts on 26 May 2024 on Sony Sports Network. Roland Garros 2024 will be aired in four languages – English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Sony Sports Network positions itself as being the Home of Tennis in India, with three out of four Grand SlamsUS Open, along with ATP Masters and Davis Cup in their portfolio.
Mirza has six Grand Slam doubles titles to her name. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Padma Shri as well as the Padma Bhushan. She will be next seen sharing her opinions and analysis for Roland Garros on Sony Sports Network. Along with Sania Mirza, Sony Sports Network will have Olympian and former India number one and Asian Games and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Somdev Devvarman and Davis Cup player Purav Raja on the expert panel for Roland Garros.
Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer – distribution and international business and head – sports business, Sony Pictures Networks India said, “We are absolutely delighted to extend the partnership with Sania Mirza, who continues to share her invaluable expertise and insights of the sport as the Tennis Ambassador on Sony Sports Network. This partnership will help us maintain our stance as the Home of Tennis is India in its truest sense, with the broadcast of the most important tennis tournaments complemented by unparalleled expert analysis.”
Mirza said, “Following a year full of unforgettable memories in Grand Slams, I am elated to stay with Sony Sports Network as the brand ambassador and expert panellist. The upcoming Roland Garros will be a special one as world tennis ushers into a new era of greats. I am looking forward to being part of Sony Sports Network’s mission of bringing fans closer to the sport and providing tennis the recognition it deserves in India.”
Devvarman said, “It’s always a pleasure to be part of Sony Sports Network’s broadcast of top tennis properties. The upcoming Roland Garros is slated to be a special one in many ways as the sport continues to see a paradigm shift with brilliant new talent coming up. I am thrilled to be part of all the excitement and passion that Roland Garros 2024 will bring along.”
Considered as the toughest Grand Slam of all, this will be the 128th edition of Roland Garros as the world’s finest tennis players gear up for the clay season’s special. Rafael Nadal, popularly known as the ‘King of Clay,’ has been crowned the Roland Garros champion for a record 14 times. The Spanish maestro missed out the last time due to injury and will be gunning for glory after the long hiatus.
In the meanwhile, Nadal’s ‘Big Three’ rival Novak Djokovic will be hoping to wear his winning boots after falling short at the final hurdle in Australian Open 2024. The Serb will continue to face a challenge from Jannik Sinner who is likely to kick off his Roland Garros campaign as World No. 1.
