The 2026 Australian Open is right around the corner, and the US broadcast partner, ESPN, is not wasting time making its own news about the tournament coverage.
ESPN has ousted three stalwarts of its tennis team with a fourth’s status up in the air.
This is likely a response to the resounding success of the 2025 French Open coverage in its inaugural year on TNT/TBS.
That broadcast team included Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams who are active players that were injured during last year’s tournament.
Who Is In And Out At ESPN For The 2026 Australian Open?
- Pam Shriver is out. Shriver has been part of the ESPN team for decades. Shriver was a frequent studio analyst, color commentator, and sideline reporter who still works for the Tennis Channel.
- Brad Gilbert is out. Like Shriver, Gilbert has served in various capacities for many years at ESPN. He is a former player turned coach whose decades of experience and knowledge were vital to the ESPN team.
- Darren Cahill is not in the ESPN publicity picture. Like Shriver and Gilbert, he has been a stable presence for years.
- Chris McKendry has a new role. This one could be the most shocking to tried-and-true ESPN tennis viewers. McKendry, who has anchored the ESPN coverage of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open for years, is transitioning to a play-by-play role. It looks like ESPN wants fans to adjust quickly as the network shows McKendry in the publicity photo wearing a headset indicating the new role.
- Malika Andrews is taking over McKendry’s role as the in-studio anchor of the Australian Open coverage. Andrews is known for her NBA coverage.
- Chris Eubanks is in. Eubanks has done extensive work for multiple tennis media networks while working around his playing schedule. Eubanks announced his retirement from the ATP Tour recently.
