Tennis anyone?
Discovery NZ and Sky will team up to bring free-to-air coverage of the game's most iconic event - Wimbledon - from next Monday.
After last year's installment fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep will defend their 2019 titles at the Grand Slam grass tournament from the All-England Club, with live coverage on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now and SkyGo - and now Three and ThreeNow.
"The only Grand Slam tournament played on grass, Wimbledon has always been something special," says Sky chief commercial officer Jonny Errington. "It's the oldest tennis tournament in the world and boasts a unique blend of tennis and tradition.
"The atmosphere is magical, as the best in the world step onto the pristine courts dressed exclusively in their whites. You can count on epic battles, unmissable moments and celebrities sipping Pimms.
"It's simply electric to watch, and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to share the excitement with a wider audience in partnership with Discovery NZ and Three. It's another way we can inspire the next generation to pick up a racquet and emulate the legends."
After combining to bring joint coverage of rugby league’s State of Origin series opener earlier this month, Discovery is proud to extend that relationship into another of the world’s 'bucket list' sporting events.
"It is such a prestigious event with tremendous appeal to Kiwi sports fans," says Discovery NZ general manager Glen Kyne. "There has been a bit of late-night sport recently, with fans staying up until the small hours, and that looks set to continue with one of the marquee events of the sporting calendar in 2021."
Kiwi doubles specialists Michael Venus, Marcus Daniell and Artem Sitak loom as New Zealand's best hopes of progressing through the opening week.
Three will feature live daily action from 10pm each day through the first week, with selected live quarter-final and semi-final matches, and delayed coverage of the men's and women's finals.
