ESPN Classic is presenting great Wimbledon matches and other tennis programming today, Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 17, highlighted by:
· Numerous championship matches, including Arthur Ashe defeating Jimmy Connors in 1975, Martina Navratilova beating Chris Evert in 1978 for the first of her nine titles, Bjorn Borg’s classic victory over John McEnroe in 1980, and two of the greatest matches in tennis history – Nadal over Federer with a 9-7 fifth set in 2008 and Federer defeating Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth set in 2009.
· On Thursday, June 16, fans can relive the longest tennis match in history, John Isner outlasting Nicolas Mahut 70-68 in the fifth set in last year’s first round. The 11:05 match which stretched across three days is condensed to nine hours, starting at 9 p.m.
· Two airings of Unmatched, the documentary about the Evert-Navratilova rivalry and friendship, produced by ESPN’s Hannah Storm and part of the award-winning 30 for 30 series (late on Tuesday, June 14 at midnight and Friday, June 17 at 9 p.m.).
· Tennis-related studio and interview programs such as Homecoming with Rick Reilly, Schaap One on One, SportsCentury, Up Close, Who’s #1? and Top Five Reasons.
In addition, on Monday, July 4, the 30th anniversary of the match, at 8 p.m. ESPN Classic will show the 1981 Gentlemen’s Final where John McEnroe ended Bjorn Borg’s historic streak of five consecutive championships.
Mon., June 13
10:30 a.m. ET Up Close Classics: Arthur Ashe
11 a.m. Jim Rome Classics: Andre Agassi
11:30 a.m. Up Close Classics: Jimmy Connors
12 p.m. Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova – Part I
12:30 p.m. Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova – Part II
1 p.m. 1975 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Arthur Ashe vs Jimmy Connors
3 p.m. 1977 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Bjorn Borg vs Jimmy Connors
5 p.m. 1980 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: John McEnroe vs Bjorn Borg
7 p.m. 2004 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick
10 p.m. 1992 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Andre Agassi vs Goran Ivanisevic
Tues., June 14
12 a.m. ET 2000 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Patrick Rafter vs Pete Sampras
7:30 a.m. 60 Minutes on Classic: Pete Sampras & James Blake
8 a.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame Anna Kournikova For Never Winning a WTA Singles Title
8:30 a.m. Firestone Chats: Tennis Legends — Jimmy Connors, Billie Jean King & Arthur Ashe
9 a.m. Schaap One on One: Billie Jean King
9:30 a.m. Jim Rome Classics: Andre Agassi
10 a.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame John McEnroe For His Repeated Outbursts
10:30 a.m. Up Close Classics: Jimmy Connors
11 a.m. Who’s #1?: Most Memorable Wimbledons
12 p.m. Schaap One on One: Billie Jean King
12:30 p.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame John McEnroe For His Repeated Outbursts
1 p.m. 1995 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Boris Becker vs Pete Sampras
3 p.m. 1982 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Jimmy Connors vs John McEnroe
5 p.m. 1978 Wimbledon Ladies’ Final: Martina Navratilova vs Chris Evert
7 p.m. SportsCentury: Zina Garrison
7:30 p.m. Schaap One on One: Virginia Wade
8 p.m. 2003 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Roger Federer vs Mark Philippoussis
10 p.m. Who’s #1?: Most Memorable Wimbledons
11 p.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame John McEnroe For His Repeated Outbursts
11:30 p.m. Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Blame Anna Kournikova For Never Winning a WTA Singles Title
Wed., June 15
12 a.m. ET 30 for 30: Unmatched
Thur., June 16
10 a.m. ET Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova-Part I
10:30 a.m. Schaap One on One: Martina Navratilova-Part II
11 a.m. Homecoming with Rick Reilly: Billie Jean King
12 p.m. 1993 Wimbledon Ladies’ Final: Jana Novotna vs Steffi Graf
2 p.m. 2001 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Goran Ivanisevic vs Patrick Rafter
4 p.m. 2007 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
9 p.m. 2010 Wimbledon, First Round: John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut
Fri., June 17
7 a.m. ET Homecoming with Rick Reilly: Billie Jean King
8 a.m. SportsCentury: Zina Garrison
8:30 a.m. Schaap One on One: Virginia Wade
9 a.m. Who’s #1?: Most Memorable Wimbledons
10 a.m. 2008 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
3 p.m. 2009 Wimbledon Gentlemen’s Final: Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick
8 p.m. Homecoming with Rick Reilly: Billie Jean King
9 p.m. 30 for 30: Unmatched
