American commentator sparks viral storm for suggesting Australian Open final should change start time

An American financial analyst has been torched online for a bizarre take on the Australian Open.

Sunday night’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic was obviously the talk of the sporting world with the young superstar completing a career grand slam with his four-set triumph.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Alcaraz makes history with Australian Open triumph.

The match was obviously held in primetime in Australia, which also would have been at a reasonable time on Sunday morning in most parts of Europe, including Spain and Serbia where the two competitors are from.

But Eric Balchunas, who works for Bloomberg and is based in America, couldn’t understand why he would miss out on the action with the 3.30am start time.

He believes “they should have found a way” for the epic match to be broadcast at a better time into the US.

“I know this sounds US-centric but they really should have figured out a way to play this epic final match not at 330am EST,” he tweeted.

“US audience - and all those extra ad dollars - totally shot. I love tennis but I love my beauty sleep even more.”

The post, which had over 2.7 million views and over one thousand replies, went down like a lead balloon among tennis commentators and fans.

He later deleted the posts.

Aussie tennis great and commentator Rennae Stubbs said: “Well Eric. It’s prime time in Australia,” before adding, “Also Eric. Every year of my life living and growing up in Australia, I had to get up at 4am for every other grand slam, so basically, suck it up mate!”

Australia commentator and host of Stan Sport’s coverage Adam Peacock said: “US-centric? Don’t be so hard on yourself. Not at all.”

Prominent tennis commentator Bastien Fachan said: “This sure sounds US-centric and pretty entitled.”

Aussie journalist James Dampney added: “Haha ‘figured out a way’ … aww precious. It’s in Australia. We get screwed with most international sports and you have it easy. Deal with it.”

Fans were far more scathing.

“lol, US-Centric indeed. The Australian Open, revolving around yanks? Classic. It’s like asking to have the Super Bowl at a different time to appease the southern hemisphere fans,” one fan said.

“Olympics about to start in Italy. Should they schedule events for the middle of the night so it is prime time in America?” Another added.

“Local live audience be damned! You are right, that is US-centric. Why not change the name to the US Open? Do we have one of those already?” Another said.

“Is there anything more American than this post,” another said.

“You are actually asking a global sport to tailor their schedule to the USA? That is a YOU problem,” another added.

“Do you understand that tennis is a worldwide sport and that the world had 24 time zones? Do you also understand that Australia has sunlight when we have moonlight? This might be the dumbest tweet in the history of this platform. I won’t be asking you for any financial advice,” another added.

Balchunas didn’t get up to watch the match, but to his credit he did concede his post might have missed the mark.

“Just woke up (beauty sleep secured). Looked like a good match! Lol some of the replies. Wasn’t that deep. But I get the angst, we have to bend to California time zone a lot. Peace and love,” he tweeted.

“I was in Australia for work two years ago and I remember ppl huddled around a coffee bar TV in a corp center watching Sunday night football at like 9am on Monday morning. So yeah I get, we can live w out this one thing. Point made. I just really wanted to watch the match.”

He also posted again, admitting he deserved the criticism.

“Man, I’m getting lit up for this. I kinda deserve it (altho tbf I did own my US-centricity right off the bat),” he said.

“That’s what makes this site so great tho, ppl push back, even thrash you, esp anons. Conflict = drama = entertainment. LinkedIn meanwhile is 95% ‘Congrats/good post Bob!’”