The first Grand Slam of the year is usually a time for celebration for tennis fans in India. However, for many subscribers of SonyLIV, the 2026 Australian Open has quickly turned into a masterclass in frustration.
SonyLIV is facing a massive backlash on social media platforms for its poor streaming of the year’s first tennis grand slam. Fans are reporting a subpar viewing experience that is being marred by technical glitches, excessive advertising, and, perhaps most bafflingly, the sudden disappearance of marquee matches.
The biggest shock for viewers came today during the highly anticipated clash between Novak Djokovic and Botic van de Zandschulp. While the match was scheduled for a 1:30 PM IST start at the Rod Laver Arena, many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit to complain that the live stream was nowhere to be found on the streaming service.
Even for those who managed to find their desired matches, the experience has been far from good. The primary grievance? Too many advertisements. Despite paying for a subscription, viewers are being subjected to a heavy load of ads.
Moreover, in an era of 4K streaming, SonyLIV’s Australian Open feed has been criticised for looking “blurry” and “pixelated,” especially during high-motion rallies.
Ironically, this backlash comes just as Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) announced a record-breaking lineup of sponsors for the tournament.
As the tournament enters its crucial second week, SonyLIV has a narrow window to fix these technical errors. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner heading toward a potential collision course, the demand for stable, high-quality streaming will only intensify.
For now, Indian tennis fans are left hoping that the only drama they see is on the court, not on their loading screens. Stay tuned for more updates.
Here are some complaints from SonyLIV users!