Australian Open 2022: Ash Barty drinking beer, James Mathison Twitter post explained

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Former TV presenter James Mathison has explained the real target of his Ash Barty comments which are dividing the country.

Former Australian Idol host James Mathison says he hopes to have held a mirror up to Australia after he took to social media to question a TV stunt during Ash Barty’s Australian Open victory celebrations on Saturday night.

Mathison faced a social media backlash after he questioned the appropriateness of Barty being given a beer to drink while speaking from inside a Channel 9 TV studio at Melbourne Park outside Rod Laver Arena.

Barty sent tennis fans wild when she got stuck into a Corona live on air with Nine’s commentary team after her straight sets win over Danielle Collins.

The three-time grand slam champion, 25, encouraged the rest of the panel – which included close friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua and ex-tennis player Alicia Molik – to have a cold drink with her.

Some fans loved her “very Aussie” response to the extraordinary win, but Mathison claimed the moment was an example of Channel 9 ‘glorifying alcohol’.

Mathison has now explained Barty’s actions were never the target of his pointed comments.

He said he “cringed” at the live TV segment and wanted simply to have Australia take a critical view at the impact alcohol has on the broader community.

“It’s been mischaracterised as if I’m having an attack on Ash, who I love and adore and who I think is an extraordinary role model,” Mathison said on Hit NSW Breakfast with Maz and Lakey.

“It was in no way about that. It was about, hang on, that’s a bit weird. I’m watching this with my kids and the only way that is culturally or societally accepted to celebrate is with booze. And I thought, I might just pop on Twitter and share my internal thoughts with the world.

“Part of the reaction has been surprising because people don’t want their relationship with booze ever questioned.

“There are some things that are culturally sanctified and booze is one of them. But all other drugs and all other vices we go, ‘Oh no no no’. I think that’s a bit weird and I was just trying to hold a mirror up to that idea of booze in our society.

“This was nothing against Ash. I absolutely love her.

“This was just a weird moment where I had a bit of a cringe and thought I’d share. And this is the thing because you’ve got a smartphone in your pocket, you can have a thought in your head and you can blast it to the world and then get hammered in the news press the next day.”

His comments earlier gave fans on social media plenty to wrestle with.

“Our glorification and glamorisation of alcohol in this country is normalised to the point where we can’t even celebrate success without booze on live TV. It’s bizarre,” he posted on Twitter.

“Imagine if this was in Canada and the broadcaster hoisted a joint onto their new champion?”

Mathison’s controversial take sparked heated debate online.

“Looks like Ash quite enjoyed her beer. It was her best friend who offered it,” wrote one woman.

“Didn’t look or feel awkward to me, it’s a celebration after all,” added another.

Another said the moment was “a bit cringe” but suggested it was a good example of being able to “have a beer and ‘drink responsibly”.

“This is true and a good point,” Mathison replied.

“I think I was trying to highlight how booze, which has enormous health, economic and family impacts get lionised yet all other ‘drugs’, many less harmful are maligned.”

Mathison added to his opinion on Tuesday morning, praising Barty for being an “incredible role model” and questioning why “Channel 9 foisted the beer on her”.

“This is about our lionisation of alcohol and how that seeps into everything,” he wrote.

“It starts early. At 21 when we have to ‘skull a yardy’ to ‘why aren’t you drinking’ every time you decline. Yes adults can enjoy a drink responsibly. I have plenty of times. But we can also have a conversation about it’s all pervasive role in society.”

Mathison hosted Australian Idol for six seasons alongside Osher Gunsberg in the 2000s, but is understood to now work at an Amazon distribution warehouse in Sydney’s northern beaches after a brief foray into politics.

In a rare insight into his private life, the married father-of-two revealed he turned his back on fame because he found it “hollow and dangerous”.

Originally published as James Mathison explains real reason he called out Ash Barty stunt



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