LOS ANGELES, Feb, 10, 2021 – A pair of American tennis players – Cici Bellis (@CiCiBellis) and Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) – headline the fifth season of Tennis Channel’s multiplatform series My Tennis Life, set to debut Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 6 p.m. ET. Both will document their lives on the professional tennis tours throughout the year, sharing updates and engaging with fans through their own social media channels and the network’s on-air and digital platforms.
My Tennis Lifechronicles the ups and downs of a single season through the eyes of one men’s and one women’s professional tennis player. Tennis Channel gives fans unique access to the unreported details of life on the pro circuit and the players’ interactions with coaches, family and friends. Each week Bellis and Sandgren will post new stories on the network’s air, its app, website Tennis.com, their social media platforms and those of Tennis Channel.
Bellis turned professional in 2016 after winning the ITF Junior World Championship and becoming the top-ranked junior tennis player in the world in 2014. She earned her first professional title in Honolulu in 2016 and has already earned more than $1.4 million in prize money. She reached a career-high rank of No. 35 in 2017 before battling a series of injuries and surgeries in recent seasons. In 2021, at the age of 21, Bellis is healthy enough to compete again.
“I am so excited to be a part of My Tennis Life in 2021,” said Bellis. “I’m really looking forward to sharing my life on and off the court with everyone.”
Sandgren turned pro in 2011 after playing two years at the University of Tennessee. He reached a career-best rank of No. 41 in 2019 and earned his first title at the inaugural Auckland Open. Later that year he posted his top finish at a major, reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon before losing to fellow American Sam Querrey. The 29-year-old is competing in the 2021 Australian Open.
“I’m really excited to take part in this upcoming season of My Tennis Life and be able to give the fans a look into my life both on and off the court,” said Sandgren.
Since 2017, Tennis Channel’s My Tennis Lifehas given viewers an unprecedented view into the world of professional tennis through the activities of the men and women meeting the challenges of today’s highest level of play. The show’s previous stars include Lucie Safarova, Jamie Murray, Coco Vandeweghe, Monica Puig, Sam Groth, Nicole Gibbs and Jared Donaldson.
“We’re happy to share Cici’s and Tennys’ tour experiences with Tennis Channel viewers this year,” said Andi Chu, vice president, editor-in-chief, Tennis Channel. “This is the second season where tennis faces the challenges and uncertainties of a worldwide pandemic, and My Tennis Life lets our audiences see these in real time from players’ unique points of view.”
Tennis Channel(www.tennischannel.com), which is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, is the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle. A hybrid of comprehensive sports, health, fitness, pop culture, entertainment, lifestyle and travel programming, the network is home to every aspect of the wide-ranging, worldwide tennis community. It also has the most concentrated single-sport coverage in television, with telecast rights at the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros (French Open), Australian Open, ATP World Tour events, WTA competitions, Fed Cup, Laver Cup and the ATP Cup. Tennis Channel is carried by all of the top 10 video providers.
About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
Sinclair is a diversified media company and leading provider of local sports and news. The Company owns and/or operates 21 regional sports network brands; owns, operates and/or provides services to 188 television stations in 88 markets; is a leading local news provider in the country; owns multiple national networks; and has TV stations affiliated with all the major broadcast networks. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
# # #
For further information:
Eric Abner, Tennis Channel, 310-314-9445, eabner@tennischannel.com, @TennisChannelPR