Full Event Coverage on the ESPN Caribbean network and ESPNPlay.com, John McEnroe Makes ESPN/Wimbledon Debut, “Breakfast at Wimbledon” Returns as ESPN Preview Show

ESPN Caribbean will present comprehensive, live and exclusive coverage of The Championships, Wimbledon on the ESPN Caribbean network from first ball Monday, June 25, with day-long marathon telecasts through to the Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Finals, Saturday, July 7, and Sunday, July 8, respectively. The entirety of the event will also be available on ESPNPlay.com, ESPN Caribbean’s recently launch broadband service.

The new schedule is the result of a 12-year agreement between ESPN and the All England Lawn Tennis Club announced just after the conclusion of the 2011 Championships.

“This Wimbledon is the culmination of a dream we at ESPN have had for more than 10 years, to deliver every match and every key moment live as it happens to fans wherever they are,” said John Skipper, ESPN president. “The Club entrusted the care of their wonderful event to us and we intend to fulfill their trust and present a Wimbledon that uses modern technology to serve fans across all devices while being mindful of the great history and traditions of the fortnight.”

Hall of Famer John McEnroe is adding Wimbledon to his ESPN repertoire, having worked the US Open since 2009. He will be joined by returnees Darren Cahill, Cliff Drysdale, Mary Joe Fernandez, Brad Gilbert, Patrick McEnroe and Pam Shriver. Chris Fowler will call matches and serve as studio host, sharing that role with Hannah Storm and Mike Tirico. The voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football, Tirico has worked the US Open for ESPN as a host and calling matches and will fill those roles in his Wimbledon debut. Tom Rinaldi will provide essays and features.

Wimbledon on ESPNPlay.com
In addition to the television coverage, fans can also watch all of the action online at ESPNPlay.com, including early round play on more than 10 simultaneous windows.

ESPNPlay.com is ESPN Caribbean's live multi-screen sports network, a 24/7 destination that delivers live, global sports events online. It is currently available via subscription at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.

Surveying the Fields
Three players dominate the top of the men’s game with 28 of the last 29 Major championships – No. 1-ranked and defending champion, Novak Djokovic, two-time champ and No. 2 Rafael Nadal who recently defeated Djokovic for the French Open crown, and No. 3 Roger Federer, who counts six Wimbledon crowns in his tally of 16 Grand Slam titles. Everyone else – starting with British hopeful No. 4 Andy Murray seeking his first Grand Slam title and hoping to end Great Britain’s 76-year Wimbledon drought (Fred Perry, 1936) – is hoping for a slot in the semifinals.

Among the women, it’s a very different story. Six different women have won the last six Majors, but having regained the No. 1 ranking with the French Open championship, 2004 Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova is the favorite in a crowded field. Serena Williams has four Wimbledon trophies, and looks to rebound from her first-round ouster in Paris and her No. 6 ranking. No. 2 Victoria Azarenka won this year’s Australian Open, No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska has never reached a Major semifinal, No. 4 Petra Kvitova is the defending champ, No. 5 Sam Stosur won the 2011 US Open and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki is ranked No. 7. The field also includes two big names with a combined 11 Major titles – Venus Williams has five Wimbledon victories among her seven Major wins, and Kim Clijsters would love to add a Wimbledon crown to her collection of four Major victories in what is likely her final Wimbledon, having announced she will retire this year.

WIMBLEDON 2012, all LIVE on the ESPN Caribbean network and ESPNPlay.com

Date

Time (ET)

Event

Sat, June 23

10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Event Preview

Mon, June 25

6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Early Round Action

Tue, June 26 –Thurs, June 28*

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Early Round Action

Fri, June 29

7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Early Round Action

Sat, June 30

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

 

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Quarterfinals

Mon, July 2

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Round of 16, Centre Court

Tue, July 3

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ladies’ Quarterfinals, Centre Court

Wed, July 4

8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gentlemen’s Quarterfinals, Centre Court

Thurs, July 5

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

 

8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ladies’ Semifinals

Fri, July 6

7 a.m. – 8 a.m.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

 

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Gentlemen’s Semifinals

Sat, July 7

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

 

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ladies’ Final

Sun, July 8

8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

 

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Gentlemen’s Final

*June 27 and June 28 coverage ends at 2 pm ET.