American tennis star Ben Shelton lashed out at ‘disrespectful’ comments from broadcasters and interviewers working at the Australian Open in an unprompted address during his press conference on Wednesday.
While Tony Jones’ controversial comments about Novak Djokovic have dominated headlines around the world in recent days, Shelton stated that he was ‘shocked’ by the tone of some questions that have been posed to players during on-court interviews.
The 22-year-old even criticised one broadcaster for a question put to him following his quarter-final victory against Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday afternoon. He will now face Jannik Sinner in what will be his second Grand Slam semi-final appearance after sealing a 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory against Sonego.
Though delighted by the victory, the Atalanta-born tennis star took a moment at the end of the press conference to urge broadcasters to change their line of questioning.
‘One thing that I just want to say before we’re done,’ Shelton began. ‘I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters.
He added: ‘I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments.
Ben Shelton has slammed broadcasters at the Australian Open for showing a lack of respect to players during on-court interviews
Shelton referred to multiple incidents that have happened during the tournament, including Tony Jones’ controversial comments about Novak Djokovic
Shelton even criticised a question he was asked following his 3-1 victory against Lorenzo Sonego earlier in the day
‘I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.’
Jones was heavily criticised following his comments in which he had claimed that Djokovic was a ‘has-been’ during a television segment for Channel 9.
With a group of Serbian fans arriving behind him during the segment, Jones began to chant: ‘Novak, he’s overrated … Novak’s a has-been. Novak, kick him out.’
Djokovic said the comments were ‘insulting and offensive’ and demanded a public apology from the 63-year-old, with the broadcaster subsequently issuing an apology earlier this week to Nine’s Today Show.
‘I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak, I don’t think that was just a single event,’ Shelton said, before reeling off several other instances where he thought interviewers had overstepped the mark.
He first referred to a question fellow American, Learner Tien, was asked following his huge victory against Daniil Medvedev earlier in the week.
‘I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself,’ the 22-year-old said.
Shelton (right) criticised comments made by one broadcaster regarding his fourth-round opponent Gael Monfils (left)
Shelton also claimed that questions posed to Learner Tien (pictured) following his second-round victory against Daniil Medvedev were ’embarrassing’
‘I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview, I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful.
‘There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was: “Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad. Maybe he is your dad”.
‘Or today on the court: “Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?’
‘I mean, [it] may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life,’ he added.
Shelton had laughed off the question but added: ‘I know I’ve got a few people in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me too.’
Despite that, the American spoke of his delight at reaching his second-ever Grand Slam semi-final.
He has also had a long and gruelling road to the last four of the Australian Open, with Shelton being taken to the fourth set in four of the five matches he’s played.
Shelton said he was delighted to be in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and will face off against world No 1 Jannik Sinner for a berth in the final
The world No 20 added that he felt he felt ‘battle-tested’ following what’s been an epic week.
‘I was just grinding out there, trying to fight through it,’ he said.
‘Yeah, I’m just proud of myself to get through.
‘Definitely feel battle-tested and able to get done in four.’
He added: ‘For me it’s really special to be playing at these big tournaments and playing my best tennis at the big tournaments.’
