SuperTennis, the Italian free-to-air (FTA) channel run by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP), has extended its exclusive rights agreement for the US Open grand slam tournament until 2030.
The renewal, brokered by international sports marketing agency IMG, was struck between Sportcast, the commercial arm of the FITP that operates SuperTennis, and the US Tennis Association (USTA) governing body.
The agreement builds on SuperTennis’ original deal signed in 2023. That year’s edition became the first in 34 years to be made available FTA in Italy, having been previously aired by pay-TV broadcasters Sky Italia and Eurosport.
Since 2024, the US Open has also been available in the country on Sky Italia as part of a sub-licensing deal with SuperTennis.
FITP president Angelo Binaghi said: “This isn’t just a commercial agreement but a cultural and sporting investment. While other grand slams are almost entirely pay-per-view, in Italy, fans can experience the US Open for free.
“The audience figures confirm that this is the right path; millions of people have been able to follow our players without financial barriers. It’s a public service that we intend to strengthen in the future.”
The renewal comes as Italian Jannik Sinner, the men's world number one, defends his US Open title.
SuperTennis said it has expanded its coverage for this year’s edition to include qualifying tournaments and the inaugural mixed-doubles tournament, which saw Italian pair Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori crowned champions.
It also promised comprehensive coverage of the main tournament, which started on Sunday (August 24), with main matches aired on SuperTennis TV and up to nine courts available to watch live via streaming service SupertennisX (free for FITP members or €1.99 per month for non-members).
Alongside the match aired on the main channel, four additional matches will also be accessible on smart TVs through the new multichannel platform SuperTennis Plus.
Kristen Corio, USTA chief commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with SuperTennis, which continues to prove itself a reliable partner of the US Open.
“With the rise of Italian talent stronger than ever, the timing couldn't be better, and we look forward to supporting SuperTennis' extensive free-to-air coverage, which is helping to grow the US Open's audience in this country.”
Eurosport, the sports broadcaster owned by media giant Warner Bros. Discovery, provides coverage for 45 European markets (excluding Italy, the UK and Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, and Spain) as part of a rights deal running through the 2027 edition.
Eurosport has a separate deal in place for France, signed shortly after its pan-European agreement in 2023.
Domestic rights to the tournament are held by international sports broadcaster ESPN, with that deal covering the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean, via a long-term contract running through the 2037 edition.
Other notable broadcasters include Sky (UK and Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Nine Network (Australia), BeIN Sports across the Middle East and North Africa, and Eclat in 15 Asian territories.
