NBC Sports will have a new voice calling the shots … and serves … and volleys at this year’s French Open tennis championships.
Noah Eagle will be making his debut this year as the network’s new play-by-play voice at Roland Garros, USA TODAY Sports has learned. Eagle will be working alongside veteran analysts Mary Carillo and John McEnroe.
NBC plans to make a formal announcement Wednesday afternoon.
Eagle – who just received a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent on Tuesday night – served as a host and handled play-by-play for Tennis Channel since 2019, calling on-site matches for the network from Roland Garros in 2020.
“Growing up, I was a fan of the sport. My dad called the French and U.S. Open for many years. I’d tag along in Queens every year and just walk the grounds going from one side court to another,” Eagle told USA TODAY Sports in an email.
“I loved how close I could get to the action there and the energy drew me in. I always loved how the sport made you problem-solve in real time. Getting to call it the last five years has been icing on the cake.”
It’s yet another high-profile job for the 27-year-old Eagle, who was recently tabbed as the lead play-by-play announcer for Team USA men’s and women’s basketball this summer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Eagle, the son of veteran sportscaster Ian Eagle, says that he knew he’d have to deal with allegations of nepotism if he pursued a career in broadcasting. But the criticism was worth it if it allowed him to pursue a career path he thoroughly loved.
“I knew what I was getting into and what I signed up for,” Eagle told USA TODAY Sports in an interview last fall. “But to me, this was one thing that brought me a lot of joy, and felt like I should be very good, especially if I continue to work at it.”
Judging from the praise he’s received – for his college and pro football work for NBC to his recent Emmy award to his new responsibilities – Eagle made a wise decision.
NBC Sports’ coverage of the French Open begins this coming Sunday at noon ET on Peacock, with NBC offering live coverage from Paris beginning Monday at 11 a.m. ET.