Australian Open: Daria Kasatkina slams Channel 9 for playing Alexander Zverev over Elena Rybakina

Daria Kasatkina has hit out at Channel 9’s television scheduling after they chose not to air the prime time clash between two female players in favour of the controversial Alexander Zverev.

Alexander Zverev is standing trial over allegations of assault Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Ukranian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has hit out at Channel 9’s television scheduling after the Australian Open broadcaster chose not to air the prime time clash between two top female players in favour of controversial ATP player Alexander Zverev. It did not make reference to the domestic abuse allegations.

Reigning Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina and former WTA world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova faced off on Rod Laver Arena shortly after 7pm local time on Tuesday, but their blockbuster match was available only on 9Now – Channel 9’s streaming platform.

No women’s tennis shown on TV. They are playing on Rod Laver, prime time and for what😭 don’t wanna say who they actually showing now🙄

— Daria Kasatkina (@DKasatkina) January 16, 2024

Popular Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis understandably demanded the spotlight on Channel 9’s main channel as he battled through five sets against Sebastian Ofner on John Cain Arena.

However, Kasatkina took to social media platform X to vent her frustrations after learning the Rybakina-Pliskova match was pushed from the second channel, 9Gem.

Instead Channel 9 chose to air the all-German encounter between Zverev and Dominik Koepfer on 9Gem.

“No women’s tennis shown on TV. They are playing on Rod Laver, prime time and for what … don’t wanna say who they (are) actually showing now,” wrote Kasatkina.

It was revealed early Tuesday morning that world No. 6 Zverev had been set a public trial date in May relating to allegations he allegedly assaulted former partner Brenda Patea in 2020.

Zverev, 26, has been accused of “physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument” in Berlin more than three years ago.

After his victory in the opening round, Zverev was quizzed on whether it was appropriate he remain on the ATP Player Advisory Council after being recently elected, given the allegations.

“Why would it not be?” the German said.

When asked whether he should be playing at all, Zverev fired back with vigour.

“Like who? Journalists are saying that, some, who are actually interested more in this story to write about and more about the clicks than the actual truth.”

Zverev is facing serious allegations. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The German has been given the green light to continue playing on the ATP Tour despite the allegations – something that has divided the tennis community and its playing cohort.

Several of the world’s top players were asked on Tuesday about the allegations levelled against Zverev, with many of his fellow ATP stars refusing to comment.

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas said he was “completely unfamiliar” with the allegations, while Norway’s Casper Ruud said: “I haven’t had too much time to think about it”.

Women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek offered the best response following her first-up win on Rod Laver Arena.

“Well, any answer that I give, I mean, there’s no good answer to that. I think it’s up to the ATP what they decide,” Swiatek said.

“For sure it’s not good when a player who’s facing charges like that is kind of being promoted. I don’t know what the result of the investigation or the case is going to be. I’m also not sure what’s the history in terms of the other cases that he had. I don’t know if he won or lost.

“I guess you have to ask ATP what they want to do with that because I’m not in the right position to judge.”

Zverev was recently revealed as one of the faces of the latest season of Netflix’s tennis docuseries, ‘Break Point’.

The episode focused on his comeback from injury and a rivalry with fellow top 10 player, Daniil Medvedev.

Originally published as Australian Open: Daria Kasatkina slams Channel 9 for playing Alexander Zverev over Elena Rybakina