Laura Robson will be in a whisper position for the ’s courtside trial when Serena Williams plays Maya Joint last on Centre Court on Tuesday. It is Williams’ first singles match since 2022, and the broadcaster is using the occasion to test a different way of covering one of Wimbledon’s biggest names.
Robson courtside for
Robson will provide live commentary for viewers at home from the edge of Centre Court, with commentators able to switch to her during changeovers. The setup puts a pundit inside the match rather than only around it, giving the broadcast a tighter link to what is happening on court.
Alex Kay-Jelski has said the is adding more analysis and wants to keep experimenting. He told journalists, “We’re adding more analysis,” and added that the broadcaster should “just try stuff.”
Centre Court changes shape
The move lands on a court famous for being so quiet you could hear a pin drop, which makes the test unusual even before the first point is played. That silence is part of the challenge: courtside analysis has to add detail without drowning out the match itself.
Kay-Jelski said the has recruited Robson, Jamie Murray, and Eugenie Bouchard as pundits this year, and the new Wimbledon deal with The All England Club runs until 2033. Robson has already used a hushed courtside role for TNT Sports at the French Open and for Sky Sports at the US Open and ATP and WTA Tour events.
Serena Williams on Tuesday
The match gives the a clear trial case. Williams is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, but this is her first singles appearance since 2022, so the broadcast is pairing a high-profile return with a format the broadcaster has not used before at Wimbledon.
Kay-Jelski said, “I guess we’ll find out,” when asked about noise on Centre Court, and he also said, “The worst thing we can do is not try.” If the courtside feed works, the has a fresh tool for Wimbledon coverage; if it does not, Tuesday still gives viewers the first look at how far the broadcaster is willing to push live analysis.
