Tennis Australia is nearing a deal, with Nine Entertainment Co. that will see the broadcaster remain as a prominent partner of the sport and continue to carry major tennis events, including the Australian Open.

As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, Nine had offered AUD$85 million per year, however the final figure is suspected to be north of that as Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley, has been looking to negotiate a deal worth on average, AUD$100 million per year.

An extension to their previous deal would see another five years of collaboration between the organisations that began in 2019 and is set to expire in 2024.

An asking price AUD$40 million per-year higher than the previous deal would be a large increase, but media experts point to a recent inflation in the cost of sports rights, using the recent record deal the AFL struck last month with Foxtel and Seven as and example

A rating success for Nine, the Australian Open brought in record audiences in 2022, thanks in part to strong performances by Aussies Nick Kyrgios, Ash Barty and Thanasi Kokkinakis, and is now joined by Wimbledon, Roland-Garros, and The US Open in Nine’s tennis portfolio.

The reported new deal follows the launch of Tennis Australia’s women’s leadership program, earlier this year.