Channel 7, what were you thinking? We do want to watch women’s sport on TV

This isn’t about women’s sport. This is about a world champion’s Wimbledon victory being the only match — in men’s and women’s tennis — Australia wanted to watch. How could Channel 7 get it so wrong, asks Selina Steele.

Bizarre at best.

A straight out snub at worst.

World number one Ashleigh Barty got her Wimbledon campaign off to a winning start with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over world No. 43 Zheng Saisai but most of Australia missed it due to the Seven Network’s coverage.

RELATED: What makes Ash Barty great isn’t her on-court performance

Instead viewers, in a decision justifiably slammed by the court of public opinion, were treated to the battle between Aussie men Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson for most of the time Barty was on court.

Australian TV viewers were left reeling over Channel 7’s decision to snub Ash Barty‘s victory over China's Saisai Zheng in their Women's singles match during day two of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London. Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Even Kyrgios was puzzled why Channel 7 showed his match over Barty.

“I don’t have much to do with that but obviously Ash is unbelievable … I thought they would probably show both,” he said.

Barty was her diplomatic self when asked about the scheduling after her straight sets victory.

“How do you want me to answer that one?” she said.

I’m going with WTF?

You really have to question the network’s commitment to women’s sport.

Hang on — women’s sport?

This is just sport.

You really have to question the network’s commitment to sport.

MORE FROM SELINA STEELE: Cricket Australia, you should be ashamed

I want to watch the World Number 1 in action, regardless of gender.

It’s just that this wouldn’t happen to Novak Djokovic.

Or Rafa or Roger.

It makes you wonder what else a female athlete has to do to get support from the men in suits.

But it also is stunning how badly Seven, who recently lost the rights to the Australian Open tennis to Channel 9, but still has the rights to Wimbledon, are at reading the room.

Barty, who joined sporting legend Evonne Goolagong Cawley was the only other Australian woman to reach number one, is hotter than Europe’s record summer heatwave right now.

Hotter than a vindaloo even.

Ash Barty is more than just a novelty — she is a world number one. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

To say Barty is Australia’s sporting darling right now is akin to saying Lamborghini is a sports car.

But Seven, who is showing the tennis on Seven Two and not their main channel, lost viewers last night in straight sets.

Barty will now play Alison van Uytvanck, the Belgian world No.54 for a place in the third round on Thursday.

RELATED: Golden age of women’s sport has just begun

I for one don’t want to miss this game.

Across channels, Fox Sports is running two channels as part of its coverage and I’ll also be able to watch the match live on Kayo.

In the interests of being transparent, the publisher of this column has financial interests in both Fox and Kayo … and a public interest in sport.

And as a sports fan, I thank the Greek Goddess Nike.

Selina Steele is News Corp’s News360 Deputy Head of News

@SelinaSteele