Sam Smith, the former British number one, and most successful British female tennis player of the 90’s has announced her retirement to concentrate on her broadcasting career on British Eurosport.
Smith first joined British Eurosport as a part-time commentator in 1999, but has increased her commitment to the channel, as her playing schedule has reduced due to injury. Smith is one of the senior female tennis commentators alongside Annabel Croft and Jo Durie, and is the main studio pundit for British Eurosport’s extensive Sanex WTA Tour coverage.
‘The time has now come to devote myself to my broadcasting career on British Eurosport,’ said Sam. ‘I also want to play my part in helping the LTA to regenerate women’s tennis in Britain.’
Sam was the British number one from October 1996 to July 1999. The highlight of her career was reaching the last 16 of Wimbledon in 1998, when she beat former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez. She achieved her highest career ranking of 55 shortly after.
During the last two years the 29 year old Essex player has been plagued by injuries, and following a recent knee operation she has ruled out a comeback.
British Eurosport is the most widely available sports channel in the UK broadcasting world class sport with a British perspective via Sky Digital, NTL, Telewest, On Digital, Eurobell and Kingston Communications to over
8.3m UK homes. British Eurosport is 100% owned by TF1. Premium TV invests in British Eurosport by way of a contractual joint venture. Premium TV is backed by NTL.
Eurosport.co.uk was launched in December as a local site for
eurosport.com. Dedicated to the UK market, the site covers a full range of sports including Premiership football, rugby, cricket, motorsport and golf. From its close working relationship with eurosport.com it offers all the best European sports news as it happens.
For further information:
Colin Banks / Michelle Guy
British Eurosport Press Office
Tel: 0207 468 7777 or 07971 454 061
cbanks@eurosport.co.uk or mguy@eurosport.co.uk
visit our website: http://www.eurosport.co.uk