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Revealed: Why World No. 2 had request rejected by Channel 9
Christian Montegan • January 26th, 2026 2:33 pm
Popular tennis commentator and former Australian Open champion Jim Courier has shared fascinating insight into backroom talks involving a dispute involving world No.2 Iga Świątek and tournament rights holders Channel 9.
Świątek, who is bidding to complete the career Slam in Melbourne, is scheduled first up on Rod Laver Arena tonight at 7pm against Aussie qualifier Maddison Inglis.
However, the six-time major winner was left unhappy after her request to play in the day session fell through.
"Yesterday's scheduling meeting went exceptionally long; there was a massive battle because Świątek wanted a day match, and the Australian Network desperately wanted an Australian to be playing in prime time. That's what they pay the big money for," Courier told Tennis Channel.
"It was a long, drawn-out battle, and I can tell you it went to the wire, and eventually Channel 9 got what they wanted and what the tournament also wants, and Iga didn't get what she wanted.
"Why she wanted to play in the day? I don't know, because going forward from here, it's going to be mostly night matches."
Usually, the schedule releases around 3:15-3:30pm for the following day, but today's schedule for Day 9 was released after 6pm on Sunday.
The top players do have a say in when they want to play their matches, but Channel 9 also have a massive influence, especially given that they forked out A$425 million for hosting rights.
Both women's semi-finals and the final are guaranteed a night slot.
The First Serve Live returns on Monday February 2nd at 8pm AEDT for its 18th year on the SEN Network/App, Australia's only dedicated weekly tennis program on commercial radio running through till the end of November.
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