Shelton joins Djokovic in condemning Australian Open broadcasters: “Shocked with how players have been treated”
The American claimed his colleagues were made to put up with “embarrassing and disrespectful” interviews at Melbourne Park this year
Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Ben Shelton claims that Australian Open broadcasters have been mistreating players during their interview.
The American’s complaint comes a few days after Novak Djokovic condemned Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones’ jokes at the Serb’s expense.
Shelton booked his place in the semi-finals by overcoming a tough opponent in Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.
Following the win, while addressing the media at Melbourne Park, he expressed regret at the kind of questions his colleagues have faced from various interviewers.
“I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said in his press conference. “I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak, I don’t think that was just a single event. I’ve noticed it with different people. I noticed it with Learner Tien… when he beat [Daniil] 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, [Gael] 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, may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life. 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. I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Interesting end to Ben Shelton’s press conference.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2025
Unprompted, he took a moment to tear into the quality of local broadcasting and specifically on-court interviewing at #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/ig76VrKq2C
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