Watch Tennis on ESPN

When you want to watch tennis on ESPN, you're looking for more than just a screen—you're looking for the rhythm of a serve, the tension of a tiebreak, and the story behind the players. ESPN doesn't broadcast all the Grand Slams, but it does show key ATP and WTA events throughout the year, especially the US Open and select Masters 1000 tournaments. It's not the only place to catch tennis, but for many in the U.S., it's the most reliable source for live, commercial-free action during the summer and fall seasons.

ESPN’s tennis coverage includes ATP Tour, professional men's tennis circuit featuring top players competing in tournaments worldwide matches, WTA Tour, the premier women's professional tennis circuit with global events and ranking points, and occasional Grand Slam coverage when rights are secured. You won't find Wimbledon or the French Open on ESPN every year—that’s usually handled by other networks—but the US Open is a staple, often with multiple courts streaming live across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+. If you're serious about following the sport, you’ll need to know when ESPN has rights and when to switch to Tennis TV or other platforms.

Many fans assume ESPN shows everything, but the truth is simpler: they show what they can afford. The Grand Slams are expensive, and rights rotate. That’s why Tennis TV, a subscription service offering live and on-demand matches from ATP and Challenger tours is so popular among hardcore fans. It doesn’t carry the Slams, but it gives you every match from the smaller tournaments that ESPN skips. Meanwhile, ESPN focuses on the big moments—the rivalries, the upsets, the late-night finals that draw casual viewers too.

If you're trying to figure out where to watch tennis without signing up for five different services, start with ESPN’s schedule. Check their website before each major event. Look for the US Open in September, the Cincinnati Masters in August, and the Indian Wells and Miami events in March. These are the events ESPN consistently covers. You’ll also find analysis, player interviews, and highlights that give you context you won’t get from a live stream alone.

What you won’t find on ESPN? Full coverage of the Australian Open or Roland Garros unless they’ve licensed it for a specific year. And you won’t see every match from the ATP Challenger Tour or ITF events—those are for niche fans who use Tennis TV or local broadcasters. But if you want to catch a top-10 player in a high-stakes match, ESPN is still one of the easiest places to find it on TV.

The posts below cover what you need to know before you press play. From how to tell if your tennis gear is holding you back, to why some players dominate on hard courts but struggle on clay, these articles help you understand the game beyond the broadcast. Whether you're a weekend player or just someone who likes to watch the big matches, you’ll find practical insights that make watching tennis more than just background noise.