Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Wimbledon 2019: Broadcaster defends snubbing Ash Barty for Nick Kyrgios amid ‘sexism’ claims
Kyrgios’s match with compatriot Jordan Thompson had been going for two hours before Barty started hers against China’s Zheng Saisai, and the broadcaster stuck with the men’s clash rather than switch over
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Australian broadcaster Seven Network has defended its decision to televise Nick Kyrgios’s first round match rather than world number one Ashleigh Barty’s opener after being hit with claims of “sexism” over its Wimbledon coverage.
Kyrgios’s match with compatriot Jordan Thompson had been going for two hours before Barty started hers against China’s Zheng Saisai, and the broadcaster stuck with the men’s clash rather than switch over.
Fans on Twitter vented their frustration, with some claiming Seven’s focus on world number 43 Kyrgios’s five-set win over Barty’s straight sets victory was “sexist”.
The network, which flipped over to Barty’s match just before she wrapped up her win, said it was a “difficult decision” but the ratings spoke for themselves.
“Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson were tied in the third set of a thrilling contest when Ash walked onto court,” a Seven spokesperson said in a statement.
Wimbledon 2019 best pictures
Show all 45
“The massive audience ratings on 7TWO, which were comparable to a Wimbledon final, show how engaged Aussies were in the epic five-setter between Kyrgios and Thompson.”
Kyrgios and Barty were asked by Australian reporters about the coverage but each sounded unfazed.
“If people can watch my matches, great. If they can’t, they can’t. That’s up to the broadcasters, not me,” French Open champion Barty said.
Kyrgios said he thought they would “probably show both, but I don’t really have much to say about that”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies