Australian Open Media Street: Dan Evans watching BBL over tennis, Nick Kyrgios rejects Channel 9 commentary gig
A tennis ace has rubbed salt in the wound for the host broadcaster, who has been dealt another blow. MEDIA STREET
English ace Daniel Evans has rubbed salt into the wound that is Channel 9’s Australian Open ratings fall by declaring even he is watching the Big Bash League over the tennis.
The No.25 seed – who is through to the third round at Melbourne Park – has attended two BBL games this season and already knew who was in action on Thursday night.
“It’s Thunder-Renegades today. I’ll probably watch that tonight,” Evans said.
Evans was right, with the Thunder slated to host the Gades at a sold-out Manuka Oval in Canberra.
But that Twenty20 clash also clashes with the marquee tennis match between British veteran Andy Murray and Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Evans was then pressed by British journalists on whether he would really watch a domestic T20 league over local hero Murray.
“No, I’ll watch a bit of Andy, obviously,” Evans responded.
“That’s what I really like about here and US Open. You get to watch the night matches, a lot of sport on the television. That’s why I love both the tournaments.”
Evans hasn’t picked a BBL team but is enjoying English opener Joe Clarke’s form for Melbourne Stars.
“I’ll watch pretty much any of it. It’s good viewing,” he said.
KYRGIOS REJECTS DESPERATE NINE’S COMMENTARY CASH GRAB
A desperate Channel 9 pulled out the cheque book for Nick Kyrgios to try and spice up its Australian Open coverage.
After his shock withdrawal on Monday, the host broadcaster quickly moved to try and get the Australian star into the special comments chair.
Kyrgios is sticking around Melbourne until the end of the week before heading home to Canberra where he is scheduled to have minor knee surgery.
Given his penchant for straight-shooting, the presence of the No.19 seed in the commentary box would have been a major boost for the coverage which has come in for widespread criticism on social media.
But Kyrgios knocked back the approach, preferring to keep a low profile with his girlfriend and family in Melbourne.
Channel 7 used Lleyton Hewitt several times near the end of his playing career in the commentary box before he became a regular fixture in the coverage after retiring.
HEIRESS A MEDIA MAGNET
World No.3 Jessica Pegula isn’t a believer in the Netflix curse.
The rising American star is set to feature in the second series of Point Break which was released this week to coincide with the Australian Open.
Aussie Nick Kyrgios features heavily in the first series with Pegula set to be the star of the next instalment.
Cameras have been following the American, whose parents own NFL team the Buffalo Bills, around Melbourne Park over the last few days.
“It’s always a tough balance, you know, how much access you kind of give,” Pegula said. “I did a little bit last year. I did more interview-type stuff because that I don’t really have a problem with.
“We’ll see. I’m definitely interested. I want to, you know, have more exposure, kind of help the sport, I feel like you have to give back.
“But, you know, at the same time we are all so selfishly in our own little bubbles when it comes to us as tennis players, so sometimes it’s tough. I think if you can find the right balance, then yeah, I would definitely be open.”
LEGEND’S CANCER-FREE REVEAL
Tennis great Chris Evert has revealed she is cancer-free, just over a year after she began her fight against the illness.
Evert was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer and began chemotherapy in January 2022.
Doctors caught Evert’s cancer early after she had a preventative hysterectomy following the death of her sister, Jeanne, from the same disease.
The 68-year-old, who concluded her course of chemotherapy last May, confirmed the positive news on Tuesday, writing for ESPN: “A year ago, I started a journey to protect myself and my loved ones from the risks associated with the BRCA-related ovarian cancer that took my sister Jeanne’s life.
“It is only because of the genetic roadmap my sister left behind and the power of scientific progress that we caught my cancer early enough to do something about it.
“My doctor said if left undiscovered, in four months’ time I would probably have been Stage Three like Jeanne, with very few options. Instead, I was diagnosed with Stage Three ovarian cancer, and I immediately began six rounds of chemotherapy.
“Today, I’m cancer-free, and there’s a 90 percent chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back.”
DJOKER FLUSHES BROADCAST GIANT
Novak Djokovic has hit back at an Australian Open broadcaster who said he “defied” the chair umpire by taking a toilet break five games into his first-round win.
The Serbian took to social media on Thursday to criticise Eurosport, who he said posted “something judgmental and wrong”.
On Wednesday, the broadcaster tweeted: “Novak Djokovic defied the umpire to take an early bathroom break in his first match at the Australian Open (eyes emoji)”.
Novak Djokovic defied the umpire to take an early bathroom break in his first match at the Australian Open 👀 pic.twitter.com/khaClXr3vy
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 17, 2023
Djokovic was accused by Aussie tennis legend John Fitzgerald of “pulling rank”, but explained his version of events on his Instagram.
“Chair umpire allowed me to go to toilet but she told me I don’t have toilet break, just change over break,” he wrote.
“So she told me (you didn’t capture that with camera) I had to hurry up.
“When I almost exited the court she called me (I didn’t hear) and it was to tell me that toilet was on the opposite side of the court.
“I found one where I went also, and I had to be quick because of the time. I didn’t “defy” her or the rules.
“She gave me permission and told me to be quick. Next time be mindful with what you post. You have responsibility towards many sport fans that follow your page @eurosport.”
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