EXCLUSIVE: Emma Raducanu’s US Open final is set to be shown on FREE-TO-AIR TV tonight, with Channel 4 in talks with broadcasters Amazon Prime over a deal to allow fans to watch the match live
- Emma Raducanu’s US Open final could be free to watch on Channel 4 tonight
- She takes on fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez as they bid for stunning triumph
- The British sensation’s fairytale continued as she beat Maria Sakkari in the semis
- Amazon, who own rights to US Open, are now in talks over sub-licensing deal
- The tech giant had already agreed to allow highlights to be shown on the BBC
Emma Raducanu’s US Open final against Leylah Fernandez is set to be broadcast live on Channel 4 on Saturday evening.
Amazon Prime are in talks with the terrestrial broadcaster over a sub-licensing deal that would enable the match to shown live on free-to-air television at 9pm this evening.
Amazon have already agreed a highlights deal with BBC Sport for a programme that will air on Sunday afternoon and Channel 4 have swooped in to secure the live rights in a major boost for tennis fans in the UK.
Emma Raducanu’s US Open final against Leylah Fernandez is set to be aired on Channel 4
She will go for an unthinkable triumph against the Canadian and fellow teenager
Relations with Amazon and Channel 4 are close after they shared live coverage of rugby’s Autumn Nations Championship last year.
Channel 4 have enjoyed a revival in their live sports coverage this year after securing the rights for England’s Test match tour of India last winter.
Sportsmail reported on Friday that Amazon were considering making the match free-to-air after fans stayed up through the night to watch the British star in action, with the eyes on the nation set to be on Raducanu.
Raducanu’s epic performances in New York have drawn in a legion of new excited supporters
Amazon Prime has the rights to the US Open, but could allow final to be aired on free-to air TV
There is precedent for major British sporting moments emerging from behind a pay wall.
In 2019, Sky Sports made the final of the Cricket World Cup between England and New Zealand free-to-air by partnering with Channel 4.
England were chasing their first Cricket World Cup title, and it was the first final that the team had reached since 1992, when they lost to Pakistan in Melbourne.
C4 screened the match, which England won sensationally following a super-over, simultaneously with Sky.
Raducanu has enjoyed an unforgettable journey to the final and is even being labelled as the favourite for her encounter with Fernandez – but the Brit insists she has no pressure on her shoulders having began the tournament as a qualifier.
She insists she will not be a favourite for the final against Fernandez as she is only a qualifier
‘Is there any expectation?’ Raducanu asked jokingly. ‘I’m a qualifier so there’s no pressure on me!’
She added: ‘Honestly the time here in New York has gone so fast, I’ve been taking care of each day and before you know it three weeks later I’m in the final, I can’t actually believe it.
‘Since I’ve been here I’ve had great support. Playing under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium is one of the most iconic things in tennis. I was so excited.’