FANS were left furious with ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage last night when many claimed that the broadcaster skipped the women’s doubles trophy ceremony.
Plenty tuned in Stateside as American Taylor Townsend teamed up with Czech Katerina Siniakova to take on Erin Routliffe and Gabriela Dabrowski on Centre Court.
Townsend and Siniakova won an epic final 7-6 7-6, with the former earning her first ever Grand Slam title.
Fans watching in the US were thrilled with her achievement, but then quickly felt frustrated as they claimed to be denied the opportunity to watch her lift the trophy.
According to a series of social media users, ESPN,who have the US media rights to Wimbledon until 2035, cut their coverage of the final ahead of the trophy ceremony and on-court interviews.
In addition to Wimbledon, the broadcaster is also showing live games from NBA Summer League – and is alleged to have cut their women’s doubled coverage to cross over to a game.
Fuming at ESPN’s editorial decision, one fan wrote on social media: “WTF @espn??!!!
“You cut off the @Wimbledon women’s doubles final and didn’t show the trophy ceremony. Bad form!! @TaylorTownsend just won her first major title. Show some respect!”
While a second commented: “I completely agree especially since a meaningless broadcast came next. This is why people don’t know who and the names of American Tennis Players Are.”
A third raged: “Agreed. Even worse because they cut it to go to a completely meaningless summer league game.”
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And a fourth fumed: “Was really disappointed. So disrespectful!”
Plenty of players were thrilled with Townsend’s amazing achievement.
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Last year’s quarter-finalist Christopher Eubanks tweeted: “TAYLOR TOWNSEND IS A WIMBLEDON CHAMPION!!!! You deserve this Tay!!!! CONGRATS!!!”
While Jessica Pegula posted: “congrats @TaylorTownsend much deserved!!”
Madison Keys wrote: “my boo @TaylorTownsend!!! Congratulations champions.”
And Coco Gauff, who won the Roland Garros women’s doubles title alongside Siniakova, added alongside happy crying and heart emojis: “yesss @TaylorTownsend @K_Siniakova.”
After the match a thrilled Townsend, 28, said: “I’m so glad Katerina slid in my DMs.
“It was an unconventional way that we got together but I’m so fortunate that we’re able to team up.
“She’s amazing and has been on this stage many times before. In my first Grand Slam final she kicked my butt and it stung so I’m really glad we’re on the same side of the net.
“I’ve been close a couple of times so it really means a lot to be able to get over the finish line here and to do it at Wimbledon is so special.”
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
