It all comes down to this! After two weeks of intense rallies, jaw-dropping moments, and heart-stopping battles, only two warriors remain standing. At the Australian Open, the grand finale is set, and it’s none other than World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and the American sensation Madison Keys who’ll battle it out for ultimate glory. When these two powerhouses step onto the iconic Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, the heat of the moment will be undeniable. But what’s a final without the voices that bring it to life? Yes, we’re talking about the commentators,  who turn every ace, every winner, and every challenge into a dramatic spectacle for fans at home. So, who’s on the mic for ESPN today? 

The match at the Rod Laver Arena will begin at 7:30 PM local time (3:30 AM ET). But that will not be the only highlight. Sharing insights into the match will be the experts who will give a prelude to the thrilling encounter which will begin at 7 PM local time (3:00 AM ET). Viewers at home can watch the preview as well as the match between Sabalenka and Keys on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+. But being on the mic in a crucial match like the finals is a task that needs experience and immense knowledge of the sport and ESPN will be delivering just that. 

Renowned sports commentator and American broadcaster Chris Fowler will call the match from the commentators’ box. Fowler is a familiar face in the arena and has been associated with ESPN for over 25 years now. His expertise is in Tennis and College Football. He will be joined by former American player Mary Joe Fernández, who will bring her knowledge about the sport’s technicalities. 

Remember, Fernandez is a two-time Grand Slam Champion in the doubles category and has also clinched three Olympic medals, (two gold in doubles and a bronze in singles) throughout her career. But that is not all. Joining the duo from the courtside will be none other than Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs who shall be bringing another layer of expertise to the panel. Notably, all three of them have been known faces on ESPN and shall be looking to take the audience’s interest to yet another level. 

However, commentating at the Australian Open this year has not been an easy task. Several broadcasters have been called out for their gestures and one of the key icons to lash out at them is American ATP Star Ben Shelton. So, what did he say?

When Ben Shelton lashed out at broadcasters

This edition of the Australian Open had its fair share of controversies. Australian broadcaster Tony Jones raised eyebrows after he jeered at a group of fans supporting Novak Djokovic, and called the Serbian maestro “overrated.” But this was not an isolated incident. When Learner Tien made headlines his win over the three-time AO finalist Daniil Medvedev, John Fitzgerald joined him for an interview. During the interaction, Fitzgerald said, “Nineteen-year-olds are not meant to be that good.” Tien looked a bit confused after hearing this, as he answered, “I mean, I don’t know what to say to that.” These incidents did not go well with many and Shelton did not shy away from criticizing them.

Speaking about the same, Shelton said, “I’ve been a little shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters and I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak…I don’t think that was just a single event.” Continuing further, he demanded more professionalism to prevail. “I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the big stage. Enjoy one of their big moments and I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity.” But the tournament is not over yet!

With fans and players gearing up for a thrilling women’s final in Melbourne, it will be interesting to see if a new controversy erupts. Whether or not it actually happens, the expert panel of Fowler, Fernández, and Stubbs will be right there to report back to fans!