With the 2024
Australian Open underway, certain television stations Down Under covering the event opted to show the men's matches instead of focusing on the prime-time ladies event, earning the wrath of WTA star
Daria Kasatkina.
Elena Rybakina, who finished runner-up at last year's event, faced former World No.1 Karolina Pliskova in a prime-time clash on center court on Tuesday. However, despite being the main attraction for the day, the first by a woman at this year's event, Australian television snubbed the former Wimbledon champions match to show men's matches featuring German
Alexander Zverev and home favorite Thanasis Kokkinakis instead.
Kasatkina calls out media for blatant disrespect
The Russian tennis star took to social media to express her displeasure at the move, sharing her disappointment at not being able to watch Rybakina in action.
"No women’s tennis shown on TV. They are playing on Rod Laver, prime time and for what,” Kasatkina wrote on X. “Don’t wanna say who they actually showing now (seemingly hinting at Zverev, who has been battling domestic abuse allegations by his ex-girlfriend). I was so excited to watch some of Lena’s winners on tv, in my bed."