Ashleigh Barty's Australian Open celebration causes controversy down under

Ashleigh Barty wowed many with her Australian Open run becoming the first native winner in a very long time.

The world No 1 beat Danielle Collins in the final to become the first Australian women to win on home soil since Christine O’Neill claimed victory in Melbourne in 1978. However, Barty’s celebrations after she won the major title have sparked complaints and controversy in her country as she’s been accused of glamorising alcohol as part of a PR stunt.

The 25-year-old joined Channel Nine commentators Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik in drinking beer live on TV, but the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) in Australia were forced to investigate a complaint they received that questioned whether the three-time Grand Slam champion was getting paid to promote the brands of beer that were drunk.

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The complaint read:

"I think the segment glorified and glamorised alcohol and was very deceptive if it was indeed a paid promotion,” the complainant stated. Why else are they doing it if it wasn’t a paid stunt? It’s poor when many children were up watching the final and Ash Barty is a role model for many girls too.”

The manufacturer released a statemenet denying any PR stunt:

“Carlton & United Breweries was not aware that our brands Peroni and Corona would be depicted in this or any other post-match interview,” a spokesperson for the beer company explained. We were not contacted by Channel Nine with respect to any reference to our brands."

The ACAB acknowledged that there was no partnership between the TV broadcaster and the beer company and the complaint was dropped. Barty did not comment on the matter.