Australia says Channel 7 got it wrong on Ash Barty match snub as Sunrise defends covering Nick Kyrgios instead
Thousands of Aussie tennis fans say Channel 7 got it wrong in picking Nick Kyrgios’s match over world number one Ash Barty, as the Sunrise team defended the decision. TAKE OUR READER POLL
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Thousands of Australian tennis fans say Channel 7 got it wrong in their decision to air Nick Kyrgios’s match instead of world number one Ash Barty’s.
A News Corp poll of more than 12800 voters shows 81 per cent of Aussies wanted to watch Barty up against China’s Zheng Saisai last night, while 8 per cent wanted to see Kyrgios take on fellow Australian Jordan Thompson.
WHO DID YOU WANT TO WATCH? CAST YOUR VOTE BELOW
When asked who viewers would have preferred Channel 7 to televise from Wimbledon, 11 per cent said both.
This morning Sunrise presenters Mark Beretta and Samantha Armytage offered an apology to disappointed viewers while defending the network’s decision to go with Kyrgios.
Barty responded to the criticism saying it was up to the broadcaster to decide what matches to air.
The Queenslander is the first Australian woman to reach the number one ranking since 1976.
COMMENT: Channel 7, what were you thinking?
Channel 7, which was only showing the match on one channel, picked the Kyrgios game instead of Barty’s match, leading to outrage from some fans and commentators.
Fox Sports showed the Barty match live on both Foxtel and Kayo.
Beretta said it was a “very difficult decision,” but Channel 7 went with Kyrgios because the match started earlier.
“People had been watching for two hours, at the prime minutes of the match you can’t go to Ash,” he said.
“We waited until Nick was done and then we went with Ash.”
Beretta said Channel 7 was only able to show one match at a time as they weren’t able to air them on multiple channels.
He likened it to watching a movie and cutting the end just before it finishes.
Armytage told viewers what happened was a “shame”.
“We’re sorry and hopefully we’ll work it out,” she added.
Barty was diplomatic when asked about the snub after her straight sets victory last night.
“How do you want me to answer that one?” she said.
“If people can watch my matches great, if they can’t, they can’t. That’s up to the broadcasters.”
.@MarkBeretta explains why the start of @ashbar96's first round #Wimbledon match wasn't broadcast live. pic.twitter.com/eLFthFSrbf
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) July 2, 2019
Kyrgios said he was surprised Channel 7 only broadcast one match.
“I don’t have much to do with that but obviously Ash is unbelievable. I actually told a lot of people that she was going to win Wimbledon,” he said.
“I thought they would probably show both, I don’t really have much to say about that.”
Kyrgios said he always knew that Barty had the game to be number one.
“I knew deep down that she was capable and when she took the year off she came back refreshed and it doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said.
Why are we watching Kyrgios when women’s number one in the world is playing? @ashbar96 @channel7 C’mon! #Wimbledon19
— Sally Sara (@sallyjsara) July 2, 2019
C’mon @Channel7 give us @ashbar96 #Wimbledon19
— Sally Sara (@sallyjsara) July 2, 2019
“I’m happy that she’s got all the support.
“The sky is the limit for her, she’s unbelievably talented.”
Barty started the match well with a service break but gave it back as she adjusted to the conditions on court one where she had played as a junior.
The surface was slower than the practice courts, she said.
The Queenslander won the match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, in an hour and 16 minutes.
Barty said she had spoken to Richmond captain Trent Cotchin in the past week following her success.
“Yeah, I spoke to Cotch, I spoke to him after he played as well, it was nice to see him back on the park,” she said.
“I keep in touch with Cotch regularly more about life in general than the specifics of sport but it was nice to hear from him.”
Barty was given a standing ovation on court one after her win to reflect her new position in the game.
She said that she did not feel any extra pressure to perform despite her stellar season so far.
And she referenced the care free song in Disney’s The Lion King when asked about her attitude.
“We kind of came into it thinking kind of like ‘Hakuna Matata’ and just relax and just go for it,” she said.
Barty said she enjoyed playing on court one, which is one of the major courts at Wimbledon.
“I was kind of fan-girling for a minute it was really nice,” she said.
Barty said that she did not have any trouble with her arm, which had caused her to take a break from a lead up tournament.
KATE STUNS AT WIMBLEDON
Earlier, the Duchess of Cambridge, says she was “definitely” enjoying Wimbledon as she mixed with the crowds last night in London.
The Duchess was among up to 40,000 fans at the tennis.
When asked if she had enjoyed the matches so far, the Duchess replied: “Yes definitely, very much so.”
Kate was wearing a long white dress, with a thin black belt and had her hair out in a flowing style.
Her centre court seats in the Royal box include scheduled matches between Angelique Kerber and Tatjana Maria of Germany.
Swiss master Roger Federer was due to play Lloyd Harris in the second match on centre court, with Serena Williams versus Giulia Gatto-Monticone rounding out the card.
When asked if she had enjoyed the matches so far, the Duchess replied: “Yes definitely, very much so.”
Her centre court tickets for the royal box include scheduled matches between Angelique Kerber and Tatjana Maria of Germany.
Swiss master Roger Federer was due to play Lloyd Harris in the second match on centre court, with Serena Williams versus Giulia Gatto-Monticone rounding out the card.
BARTY A HIT WITH FANS
Barty has become a fan favourite at Wimbledon.
During practice and even after her first round win, the new number one took time to speak and sign autographs for fans.
Barty, who Serena Williams described at the weekend as the “sweetest” woman in tennis, is among the most generous of players with her time, going to fans camped at several points where she was practising.
Silvina Sosa and Valerie Rubiaks, of Argentina, were stoked with their selfie with Barty.
“We watched her on the TV win the French Open, we have never seen her live here,” Ms Sosa said.
“She’s very friendly, a very good player.”
Olly, 12, of Sevenoaks, Kent, had his tennis ball signed by Barty.
“I watched her at Rolland Garros, it was very good,” he said.
His mum Trisha Munday added: “She’s awesome, an inspiration, I just wish my daughter would pick up a racquet.”
Barty had a solid hit out with Kiki Bertens, ranked number 4 in the world, for an hour in the London sunshine.
The pair joked and laughed together despite the intensity of the practice session, which was monitored by Barty’s coach Craig Tyzzer and strength and conditioning coach Mark Taylor.
Meanwhile, Lleyton Hewitt has been keeping a close eye on young charge Alex de Minaur, with son Cruz in proximity.
Louis makes surprise debut to honour Kate
The six-year-old son of the Prince and Princess of Wales has just had an unexpected launch – for a very significant reason.
Palace makes huge call on Kate’s future
There’s been a shift in protocol, in a major sign that Kate’s approach to public life has changed forever following her cancer battle.