Tennis Australia has announced a five-year extension to its broadcast deal with 9Network, keeping Nine as the home of tennis until 2029.

The deal includes a AUD$425 million cash component as well as additional value in contra, retained rights and promotion, making it the largest deal in history for the governing body.

Additionally, Nine will retain the domestic rights to the Australian Open and summer lead-in events, including the new international team event, the United Cup.

Commenting on the extension, Tennis Australia CEO, Craig Tiley, said: “Nine has shown a serious year-round commitment to continue to grow tennis.”

“Together we have regularly set and exceeded targets for ourselves in what has been a highly productive partnership thus far.

“This new deal further strengthens that relationship in which our organisations work as a true co-operative on the broadcast, production, innovation and promotion of our events and sport.

“It will ensure we are reaching audiences of all ages and backgrounds across multiple platforms with high quality product.

“We want to show our sport at its best to continually excite tennis fans, while also appealing to a new generation of fans and players across Australia.

“This new deal will certainly help us do that,” he said.

Nine CEO, Mike Sneesby, added: “Tennis attracts both a broad and very passionate following, and is a perfect fit with Nine’s schedule, audiences and advertisers.”

“The Australian Open has delivered some of Australia’s most iconic sporting moments and largest television audiences and together, we are committed to bringing these great moments to all Australians live and free,” he said.

The announcement comes after The Sydney Morning Herald said the pair were close to agreeing on an extension.