BBC Accused of Set-up Over Stormy Kournikova Interview

The BBC's Wimbledon operation was accused yesterday of staging "a major set-up" after the decision to broadcast as live a recorded interview with Anna Kournikova, in which the Russian tennis player threatened to walk out following her first-round defeat.

Raquel Martin, director of media relations at the Women's Tennis Association, criticised the decision to broadcast the interview in full on Monday evening. She said she had made an official complaint and asked the BBC to be more sensitive when conducting post-match interviews.

In the interview, which followed Kournikova's first-round loss to compatriot Tatiana Panova, Garry Richardson asked the world No 55 if she had considered stepping down to the Challenger Tour, a lower level of competition, to reverse her decline in form.

Kournikova reacted angrily, standing up and asking if the interview could be restarted. She then resumed her seat and in a brief but tense exchange answered Richardson's remaining questions.

The Russian, who, thanks to sponsorship deals, is the second-highest earner in the women's game despite her lowly ranking, has faced criticism that her off-court commitments have affected her tennis.

Ms Martin said: "It was a major set-up. If it was live I would have understood, but it was a pre-recorded interview and Anna had every right in the world to ask for the question to be rephrased. I thought it was unfair.

"We have spoken to the BBC and asked them to be a bit more sensitive when they are interviewing after matches."

Referring to the comments of BBC panellists Pam Shriver and former British No 1 John Lloyd, who described Kournikova's reaction as "pathetic", Ms Martin said: "It had obviously been very well thought about because they had the people there ready to talk about it."

A BBC spokesman dismissed the criticism: "We met with the WTA and there was a frank exchange of views ... The questions asked in the interview were not unreasonable. The BBC prides itself on its editorial independence."

Richardson, who presents sports news on the Radio 4 Today programme, said: "I've been conducting interviews at Wimbledon for 22 years, and in that time I've spoken to [Jimmy] Connors and [John] McEnroe and no one has ever tried to walk out before."

Tim Henman progressed to the second round of the mens' singles yesterday, overcoming French qualifier Jean-François Bachelot in straight sets. He is scheduled to play Australian Scott Draper tomorrow.