BBC Faces Backlash Over Emma Raducanu’s Untelevised Doubles Match at Queen’s Club 2025
BBC viewers expressed outrage on June 9, 2025, when the broadcaster did not air Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter’s first-round doubles match at the WTA 500 HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, London, marking the venue’s first women’s event in over 50 years. The British duo, dubbed “Boultercanu” by fans, defeated Xinyu Jiang and Fang-Hsien Wu 6-4, 6-2 on Court One, but the BBC prioritized singles matches from the main court, newly named Andy Murray Arena, on BBC Two and Red Button, leaving fans unable to watch the historic match on terrestrial TV, per Express.co.uk.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2066366/bbc-emma-raducanu-tennis-queens-coverage)[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2066327/BBC-Emma-Raducanu-Queens-Club)
Presenter Isa Guha explained, “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to show you this match because we’re focused on Andy Murray Arena, but we will bring updates,” per WalesOnline.co.uk. Fans on X vented frustration, with @GeorgeSewell questioning, “Two Brits in doubles—don’t you think that’s of interest to British viewers?” and @aysethefirst asking, “Why isn’t Court 1 on BBC iPlayer?” @jamesgraysport clarified on X that WTA contractual obligations, requiring match schedules submitted 60 days in advance, excluded first-round doubles from the world feed, limiting BBC’s options.[
The BBC had promoted extensive coverage across BBC One, BBC Two, iPlayer, and Tennis Channel, starting at 1 PM UK time, per BBC.co.uk, but prioritized singles matches like Boulter’s and Qinwen Zheng’s due to scheduling constraints. Raducanu’s singles match against Rebecca Sramkova and potential second-round clash with Barbora Krejcikova were expected to receive coverage, per LTA.org.uk. The outcry echoed past complaints, like the BBC’s failure to secure Raducanu’s 2021 US Open final, per Express.co.uk, highlighting ongoing tensions over her airtime.[](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/cx27llg1ev5o)[]
