‘Big money’ – Broadcaster battle at Australian Open sees Iga Switaek’s request snubbed

Iga Swiatek may be a six-time Grand Slam champion – but not even she can get requests approved at the Australian Open.

The 24-year-old had a request denied for her fourth round meeting with Aussie qualifier Maddison Inglis to take place during the day as opposed to night.

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As revealed by former world number one Jim Courier – a two-time champion Down Under – a lengthy broadcast battle led to Swiatek being snubbed.

Why Swiatek wanted to compete in the day, when temperatures are far higher, remains unclear, but she managed to emerge victorious over her 28-year-old opponent – winning 6-0, 6-3 to progress into the quarter-finals.

Explaining the scheduling debate on the Tennis Channel, four-time Grand Slam champion said: “You guys want some backroom intrigue?

“So scheduling is always a hot topic and yesterday’s scheduling meeting went exceptionally long.

“There was a massive battle because Swiatek wanted a day match and the Australian network desperately wanted to have an Australian playing in prime time, that’s what they pay the big money for.

“It was a long, drawn out battle, I can tell you.

“It went to the wire and eventually Channel Nine got what they wanted, what the tournament also wants, and Iga didn’t get what she wanted.

“But those are the backroom happenings here at tournaments like this, why she [Swiatek] wanted to play, I don’t know.

“Because going forward from here, it’s going to be mostly night matches – certainly once you get to the semi-finals and final – they’re all night matches for the women’s.

“But there are lots of different skirmishes happening underneath the tunnels.”

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Courier added: “And by the way, her playing at 11:30 in the morning is terrible for Europe, where she’s from.

“That’s middle of the night for them, so no, this makes a lot more sense.”

For Lindsay Davenport, who triumphed at the Australian Open in 2000, she believes the broadcasters were right to snub Swiatek’s request.

Commenting on whether ‘money wins out’, the retired American star remarked: “As it should, you can’t let the inmates run the asylum.

“Every player has an opinion, but eventually, it’s a business, and as Jim said, Australian TV should win.”

Swiatek will now be turning her attention to facing Elena Rybakina for a place in the semi-finals.

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The pair have met on 11 previous occasions, with Swiatek edging out her rival with six wins.

But Rybakina won their only Australian Open meeting in 2023 – dumping Swiatek out in the fourth round.

Swiatek has dropped just one set so far this tournament, and is looking to reach the final for the first time after two previous semi-final exits [2022 and 2025].