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MELBOURNE, Australia — American tennis player Ben Shelton has criticized some of the questions and comments made by post-match TV interviewers at the Australian Open.
After Shelton reached the semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament, he followed up his final answer at a press conference, saying: “One thing I want to say before we wrap up: I’ve been a little shocked this week at how the players have been treated by the broadcasters.”
He began by referring to the flap over a television commentator’s on-air insults about Novak Djokovic, which led to the 24-time Grand Slam champion refusing to speak to local broadcaster Channel 9 after a match.
Djokovic eventually capitulated after receiving a public apology from the network and its employee Tony Jones.
“I don’t think it was an isolated incident,” Shelton said. “I’ve noticed it with different people, not just me.”
Shelton referred to the interview with 19-year-old American Lerner Tien after his upset win over 2021 US Open champion Daniel Medvedev in the second round at Melbourne Park last week, calling it “embarrassing and disrespectful”.
The awkward exchange included a series of statements to Tine rather than questions, including observations by the interviewer that “19-year-olds can’t be that good” and “I know where you live, anyway.”
Shelton also mentioned two of his own on-court TV interviews. After the 22-year-old’s victory over 38-year-old French veteran Gael Monfils in the fourth round, interviewer Roger Rashid, a former tennis coach, tried to make a joke by saying, “He’s almost your father.”
Both Shelton and Monfil are black. Shelton responded to Rasheed: “Was that a black joke?” To which Rashed said, I am not sure.
Then, after Shelton’s 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) win over Lorenzo Sonego in the quarterfinals, he was asked about facing defending champion Janic Ciner or Australian Alex Dee. Minaur, next, indicated with the interviewer that the audience would probably be cheering against Shelton in the semifinals, anyway.
Shelton replied: “I know I’ve got some people in the crowd who are going to pull for me too.”
At his press conference, Shelton said that what the interviewer said about fan support may be true, but I don’t think the comment is respectful from a person I’ve never seen before in my life.
Shelton closed by saying: “I think broadcasters should help grow our sport and help these athletes who are winning matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments. I feel like there is a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
