‘It’s exactly as bad as we expected’: Channel Nine’s $350 million coverage of the Australian Open is slammed as they ditch Bernard Tomic blockbuster for European women’s clash
- Tennis fans have given Channel Nine a serve over its Australian Open coverage
- Network ended Channel Seven’s reign over broadcast rights in $350 million deal
- Complaints about picture quality, commentary standard & unknown presenters
Angry tennis fans have given Channel Nine a serve over day one coverage of the Australian Open.
The two week grand slam began in Melbourne on Monday and it didn’t take long for eagle-eyed viewers to find faults about the new home of tennis after Channel Nine signed a $350 million six-year deal to broadcasting rights which ended Channel Seven’s four-decade reign.
From unknown commentators and unknowledgeable presenters to the standard of commentary and picture quality, viewers found a lot to complain about.
A mix of current and former tennis stars and Channel Nine presenters headline the network’s Australian Open coverage, which came under fire on day one of play
‘Channel 9’s coverage of the tennis is as good as expected, amateur presentation, taking bad International commentary feeds & topped off by Erin Molan informing viewers that there’s a number of Greek supporters in the crowd at the Tsitsipas match as he is Greek,’ one frustrated fan tweeted.
Another added: ‘Terrible coverage & nowhere near the excellent standard viewers are used to from Channel 7. Do the world a favour Channel 9 & go back to what your good at – re-runs of the Big Bang Theory!’
Viewers were’t happy about not be able to watch Bernard Tomic (pictured) in action
The criticism continued into the first night of play when Australian Bernard Tomic’s showdown against sixth seed Marin Cilic was snubbed in favour of defending champion Caroline Wozniacki’s straight sets win against Belgian Alison van Uytvanck.
‘As much as I’d love to watch Bernard Tomic lose, I find it f****g hilarious that Channel 9 aren’t showing the match at all,’ one tweeted.
Fans also complained about the commentators, despite fan favourites Jim Courier and Todd Woodbridge making the switch from Seven.
Channel Nine chose to show defending champion women’s champion Caroline Wozniacki’s (right) straight sets win against Belgian Alison van Uytvanck (left)
‘Who is doing commentary for Duckworth v Nadal match? South African accent?’ one tweeted earlier in the afternoon.
Another added: ‘Could probably do without the minute long monologue at the end of every commercial break.’
In case you’re wondering, the South African commenting on Australian James Duckworth’s loss against world number 2 Rafael Nadal was former player Wayne Ferreira, a two-time Australian Open semi-finalist.
Even experienced commentators Courier and Woodbridge came under fire, where one fan accused the pair of drowning out the energy and entertainment of the game.
‘Please show the players and Channel Nine viewers some respect and QUIET PLEASE when the point is being played,’ they commented.
‘No need for you to be the entertainers here! Give the players & audience some space…please!’
It hasn’t taken long for fans to vent their anger over Channel Nine’s Australian Open coverage
But not everyone was critical of Nine’s coverage.
‘Previous year, channel 7 made us pay to watch every court and every action from the Australian Open. On 9 Now for free, you can see every court live… FOR FREE. Aren’t we glad the cricket and tennis swapped networks?,’ one man tweeted.
Another added: ‘This years Big Bash has very quickly become this year’s Big Bore. At least the Ausopen has started!’
From the unknown commentators and unknowledgeable presenters to the standard of commentary and picture quality (pictured), viewers plenty to complain about
Channel Nine presenter Erin Molan (pictured) was among those under fire during the first day of coverage of the Australian Open