Tennis on Television
In 1937, tennis was broadcasted to the world for the first time, spreading the joy of the sport across the globe
American Lawn Tennis, Vol. 41, No. 6, Pages 1-48International Tennis Hall of Fame
Until 1937, in-the-moment tennis updates were only available on the radio. However, BBC became the first to broadcast tennis on television at Wimbledon in 1937. Only matches on Centre Court were featured, transmitting for only a half an hour each day.
The First Broadcast
The first match was between Bunny Austin and George L. Rogers, and only lasted 25 minutes. Two cameras were used on the court, one for close-up view and the other for general view. A cable connected the cameras to a small unit in a car park, transmitting to BBC headquarters.
Bunny Austin would end up winning that match 3-6, 8-6, 6-1, 6-2 and made it to the semi-finals before losing.
American Lawn Tennis, Vol. 41, No. 6, Pages 1-48International Tennis Hall of Fame
Television in households didn't become popular until after World War II. An August 1947 issue of American Lawn Tennis was the first tennis publication to focus on the advent of television in tennis. While not extremely popular, by the 1960s, most households had a television.
Radio, Black and White, and Color Broadcast at Wimbledon
Wimbledon made history again in 1967 as the first tournament broadcast in color. In the tournament John Newcombe defeated Wilhelm Bungert in straight sets 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 to win the men's singles title.
Bjorn Borg (1978) by Ed FernbergerInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
The US Open on Television
In 1968, Joseph F. Cullman III negotiated the first television contract for the U.S. Open. The five-year contract gave CBS exclusive rights to broadcast the U.S. Open, worth $100,000.
ALT TV StoryInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Since the early days of tennis on television, the sport has continued to be broadcast on television for viewers around the world, contributing to the continued growth and popularity of the sport.
Virginia Slims CBSInternational Tennis Hall of Fame
Joseph Cullman III
"The opportunity of changing the world of tennis from a country club, white-shoe sport to something that would appeal to the public appealed to me…it was a very good move for tennis."
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