Aussie great Rennae Stubbs has called out the Tennis Channel for a graphic in which Alex de Minaur was described as the first Australian to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open in 20 years. De Minaur scored a stunning win over Daniil Medvedev on Monday, becoming the first Aussie man since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004 to reach the quarters at Roland Garros.
During an on-court interview with de Minaur, the Tennis Channel put up a graphic that reflected his achievements – but there was one massive problem. The words on the graphic said de Minaur was the first Australian into the quarters since Lleyton Hewitt and failed to mention that’s just in men’s tennis – completely overlooking some of our female greats.
Ash Barty famously won the French Open women’s title in 2019, while Sam Stosur made the final in 2010 and the semis in 2009, 2012 and 2016. Stubbs wrote on social media: “HUGE congrats to Alex de Minaur, so happy for you mate.
“BUT Tennis Channel, Demon is the first Aussie MALE since Hewitt. If u recall Sam Stosur did this a whole lot of times after 2004. Like finals, semis etc. So can we please get those graphics right. Thanks. Oh and Ash Barty won the whole thing!”
Unfortunately for Barty and Stosur, the Tennis Channel weren’t the only ones to make the oversight. While some would argue it doesn’t matter because de Minaur is clearly playing men’s tennis, the overwhelming sentiment is women’s sporting achievements are being overlooked far too often.
While it seems a pretty innocent mistake, it should be an easy step to include one extra word – ‘man’. Erasing the achievements of Barty and Stosur in a simple oversight should rightfully be called out – just as Stubbs did.
Alex de Minaur looking to emulate Pat Rafter in 27-year first
Meanwhile, de Minaur has been presented with a golden opportunity at the French Open after Novak Djokovic announced his shock withdrawal on Tuesday. Djokovic tore the meniscus in his knee during his win over Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round, and had to withdraw before his quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud.
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De Minaur, who will face Alexander Zverev in the quarters, was staring at the possibility of playing Djokovic in the semis. But he will instead face Ruud (who he is 2-0 against) if he can get past Zverev.
The German has won two gruelling five-setters in his last two matches, and had to play past 1am in the fourth round. Zverev has played 16 sets in his four matches so far, while de Minaur is relatively well rested and has played two sets less.
If de Minaur can get past Zverev he would be the first Australian man in the semi-finals of the French Open since Pat Rafter in 1997. The last Aussie man in the final at Roland Garros was way back in 1969 when Rod Laver beat compatriot Ken Rosewall.
“I think Alex is playing the best tennis of his life, for sure,” Zverev said ahead of his showdown with de Minaur. “Especially this year, he’s seventh in the race (to Turin, effectively the ATP’s 2024 ranking) and could be a contender (at the ATP Finals) in Turin, he’s playing incredible tennis for sure.
“The two times I lost to him were in Australia during team competitions funnily enough, but I’m looking forward to a battle and a probably a very difficult match. There’s certain things he’s improved, his serve, his second serve especially has got better. We’ll see – I’ll tell you more after tomorrow.”
with AAP