MELBOURNE, Australia — Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who advanced to the Australian Open semifinals after beating Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday, added his voice to the chorus of players who have criticized broadcasters and on-court interviewers in their own interviews. Press conference after the game.
“I was a little shocked by the way the broadcasters treated the players this week,” Shelton said.
He tops the list of complaints about Channel 9 sportscaster Tony Jones, who taunted Serbian fans, calling Novak Djokovic names on air and yelling at him to “kick him out”. This was an apparent reference to Djokovic’s expulsion from Australia two years ago due to COVID-19 protocols.
Jones apologized on air, saying he “went too far” after Djokovic called his comments “insulting and insulting.” He refused to be interviewed in court until he received an apology.
“I don’t think it was just a single event,” Shelton said. “I’ve noticed that not only in myself but in other people as well.”
He mentioned American Learner Tien’s on-court interview. Tien, 19, became the target of some ridicule during the match, which took place at 3 a.m. exhausted and dazed, when he was left slightly speechless by two questions after playing tennis for nearly five hours. night. He just knocked out fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
“Nineteen-year-olds aren’t that nice,” said interviewer John Fitzgerald. He then asked Tien if he had heard of his next opponent, Corentin Moutet.
“I discovered it at one of Learner Tien’s games,” Shelton said. “I think about when he beat Medvedev in the post-match interview. “I thought it was a bit embarrassing and rude.”
Shelton then turned to his own experience. After his fourth-round win over Gael Monfils, an interviewer told Shelton that Monfils could be his father. Monfils is Black, and Shelton also responded, “Is this a Black joke?”
He later said he didn’t think the interviewer intended any malice in the comment, but it still made him uncomfortable.
“There were a few comments made to me by some of the other players in the post-game interview. On the court today, I said, ‘Ben, what do you think, no matter who you play next game, no one will be rooting for you?’
“That may be true, but I don’t think it’s respectful coming from a man you’ve never met in your life.”
Shelton said he felt broadcasters and interviewers were not doing enough to promote tennis.
“I believe broadcasters need to help grow our sport and help athletes who have just won on the biggest stages enjoy the moments that matter most. I think I had a lot of negative thoughts. I think that needs to change.”
Tennis Australia could not immediately respond to Shelton’s comments.
(Nick Denholm/Getty Images)
