Wimbledon Qualifying To Be Broadcast Across Europe By Eurosport

Wimbledon's qualifying tournament -- this year featuring Maria Sharapova -- "will for the first time be televised across Europe," after Eurosport struck a deal with the All England Lawn Tennis Club, according to Ossian Shine of REUTERS. The sports broadcaster holds rights for the tournament, "and will be including the qualifiers at Roehampton," southwest London, from June 26. Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said, "There is likely to be some high-profile players taking part in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2017, so we're expecting huge interest in our coverage from right across Europe." The June 26-29 qualifying tournament is played at the Bank of England Sports Grounds and "will be ticketed for the first time this year," with 1,000 tickets for sale at five pounds ($6.42) each. Proceeds will go to the Wimbledon Foundation (REUTERS, 5/28).