Ben Shelton, the young rising star of American tennis, did not mince his words during his post-match press conference at the Australian Open, criticizing the tone and content of on-court interviews. After his quarterfinal victory over Lorenzo Sonego, Shelton expressed frustration over what he saw as disrespectful comments toward him and other players.
Shelton says: “This is not how tennis should evolve”
The 22-year-old, ranked 20th in the world, drew attention to specific instances where he felt interviewers had crossed the line, highlighting comments about Gaël Monfils’ age and insinuations that he would not benefit from public support in the semi-final.
“I don’t think the guy who made fun of Novak [Djokovic]I don’t think this is just an isolated event. I’ve noticed it with different people, not just me,” Shelton said.
Shelton was referring to Sunday’s incident involving Djokovic, who boycotted a Channel 9 interview after comments by host Tony Jones were deemed disrespectful to him and his fans. Although Djokovic received an apology, Shelton believes this behavior is part of a larger problem.
Specific incidents addressed by Shelton
Shelton cited a previous interview where he was told that Monfils, 38, was “old enough to be your father.” Additionally, he recounted a comment made on court after his victory against Sonego:
“Today on the court, [l’intervieweur a dit]’Hey Ben, how does it feel to know that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to cheer for you?’”
Although Shelton acknowledged the truth of the latter statement, he stressed that such comments are inappropriate.
“That may be true, but that doesn’t mean it should be said by someone I don’t even know,” he said.
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Shelton highlights broader issues
Shelton pointed out similar treatment of other players, including Learner Tien, noting that interviewers need to be more careful with their language.
“When Learner Tien beat him [Daniil] Medvedev, I found the post-match interview to be embarrassing and disrespectful,” Shelton added.
A call to broadcasters to do better
Shelton urged tennis broadcasters and interviewers to play a more constructive role in promoting the sport.
“We should work together to help tennis grow,” Shelton said, emphasizing the importance of respect and professionalism in how players are treated.
Looking to the future
Despite the controversy, Shelton remains focused on his next match, a dramatic semifinal against Jannik Sinner, who defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets. The American, now in his first Australian Open semi-final, hopes to channel the momentum of his impressive run while continuing to speak out on issues affecting the sport.
A turning point for tennis?
Shelton’s remarks, coupled with the recent Djokovic boycott, highlight a growing need for tennis officials and broadcasters to address the culture of post-match interviews. As tennis seeks to attract a new generation of fans, the respect and treatment of players will undoubtedly remain in the spotlight.
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