Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter snubbed as tennis fans fume at BBC
The pair were were overlooked for TV coverage at Queen's in favour of American Serena Williams' comeback
Serena Williams made here return to tennis at Queen’s this week - nearly four years after previously annoucing her retirement.
Fans packed out the Andy Murray Arena to catch a glimpse of the American icon, who took the court alongside doubles partner Victoria Mboko.
The pair were involved in an entertaining first-round match against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, but their appearance had a knock-on effect for British duo Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter, who were starting their own doubles campaign on home soil.
The pair played out their first-round match against Storm Hunter and Shuai Zhang on court one at Queen’s, which unfortunately wasn't televised by the BBC.
It means that despite being the top two players from their nation, UK tennis fans were not able to see the match, much to the disappointment of many viewers.
“Really disappointing that the BBC isn’t showing the Emma/Katie doubles match because they can only broadcast Andy Murray Arena at Queens. No stream, no alternative feed for UK viewers. Big match and British fans are missing out,” said one fan on social media.
“Why aren’t the Brits on the best court? Disgraceful. Oh hang on, it’s the Serena Williams show,” said another.
Another wrote: “I’m very disappointed in the bbc coverage of the 2nd show court at queen’s. Great that Serena’s playing again in front of her family but the brits should be on the BBC in front of theirs.”
Fans will still get to see both players in action this week, with the pair winning their respective singles matches in the opening round.
Raducanu raced away to an impressive victory against Anna Blinkova, whom she saw off in straight sets 6-0, 6-3 in an hour.
It was the former US Open champion's first victory in nearly three months, and she will now take on Sorana Cirstea in the next round.
Boulter, meanwhile, saw off Leyla Fernandez in a three-set clash that took place over two days due to rain.
She will take on Jaqueline Cristian in the second round.
As for Williams, she and her partner face Laura Siegemund and Fernandez, after a 7-6, 6-2 win over Erin Routliffe and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.
"It was so fun," Williams said in her post-match interview. "I had so much fun playing with Victoria. She was really able to hold up the team and play big on the big points. I could rely on her. We have never played together but it felt so natural."
Quizzed why she came back, she simply said: "I had nothing better to do, I got tired of sitting at home. My kids are out of school for the summer, so why not?
"I never got to play here, it was always just the men. It feels really special to play somewhere so iconic."