By Richard Pagliaro Thursday, January 8, 2026
Image credit: Brad Gilbert and Rennae Stubbs: Wikimedia Commons
This month’s “Happy Slam” will sound very different to American audiences.
Senior TV Analyst Brad Gilbert and Pam Shriver will not be part of ESPN’s Australian Open coverage, which will begin live on ESPN+ with the AO Qualifiers on Sunday, January 11 at 6pm ET.
When ESPN announces cast for 2026 Australian Open Earlier this week, three famous names and fan favorites—Brad Gilbert, Pam Shriver and Darren Cahill-Not part of the team.
So what exactly is their future at ESPN?
An ESPN spokesperson told reporters that Gilbert and Shriver have no future at the network Now play tennis.
“Brad Gilbert and Pam Schiffer no longer work at ESPN,” an ESPN spokesperson told Tennis Now. “We thank them for their cooperation over the years and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
Both Gilbert and Hall of Famer Shriver are known for their candid and compelling commentary.
Former world No. 4 and win ugly Author Gilbert, who has successfully coached the likes of Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Coco Gauff, continues a long-standing American commentary tradition of giving nicknames to stars started by the legendary Hall of Fame writer and broadcaster Bud Collins.
Famous nicknames created or popularized by Gilbert include: Djoker, Sin City, Fed Fan, Muzzard, Sloane Ranger, Meddy Bear, Dr. Ivo, Special K, Long John, Madison Avenue, A-Train, Big Berd, Petkorazzi and Halepeno.
in past interviews Tennis Now host Blair HenryGilbert shared how his favorite tennis nickname, the Jolly Ranchers, played a key role in his commentary and boldly predicted the outcome of a hypothetical ESPN doubles match. If Gilbert and Shriver faced Chrissy Evert and Darren Cahill in doubles, who would win?
Of course, what makes Gilbert and Shriver great is not just their decades of tennis experience and knowledge, but their genuine passion for commentary. They, along with Mary Jo Fernandez, are among the analysts who often go out and watch players practice to get a sense of what the stars are doing and what the dynamics between players and coaches are like in a given tournament.
Both analysts put in “hard work,” as Gilbert put it, and both will miss out on this month’s Happy Slam.
Loyal fans can still hear Gilbert’s insights on Tennis Channel Big T podcast.
Big T Podcast, The show premiered yesterday and airs every Wednesday, featuring a rotating roster of insiders, analysts and former competitors: Brad Gilbert, Coco Vandeweghe, Andrea Petkovic and Mark Page.
ESPN announced today that all daily coverage of the AO Qualifiers will air on ESPN+ from Sunday, January 11 at 6 PM ET through Tuesday, January 13, and Wednesday, January 15 at 7 PM ET until the end of the game.
The main draw of the Australian Open will be held from Sunday, January 18 to Sunday, February 1.
If you don’t already have ESPN+ through your provider, you can purchase a monthly plan ESPN Unlimited is only $29.99 and includes ESPN+ According to online reports.
