The post-match interview, a ritual that went off the rails in Melbourne

Learner Tien, Danielle Collins, Ben Shelton… usually an agreed exercise, the traditional post-match interview given on court by the winner has sometimes taken an unexpected turn at the Australian Open.

Thursday January 16. Night has fallen on Melbourne and the American Danielle Collins (11th) has just beaten the Australian qualifier Destanee Aiava (195th) in the 2nd round, to the great dismay of the local public who booed her copiously after some provocative gestures on her part.

“Danielle, congratulations. It was quite a roller coaster, this match,” says his interviewer after his victory in three sets. After a few seconds where she remains silent and displays an embarrassed smile, “Danimal” grabs the microphone to boos.

“A good old five-star vacation”

“You know, I told myself during the match that I might as well take this big check” (the winners in the 2nd round are guaranteed to receive at least 174,000 euros) to book “a good old five-star vacation,” says in the tone of defiance the American.

The whistles redouble and the interview is cut short, after a second question about Collins’ next opponent, to which she gives a usual answer before grabbing the microphone again and doing it again: “Thank you guys, I love you!”

A risky interview

Still in the 2nd round, but this time in the men’s draw, Learner Tien (121st) also experienced a risky interview after his exploit against the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th), finalist of three of the last four editions of the Australian Open eliminated in five sets by the young American.

“You’re not supposed to be this good at 19,” begins former Australian player John Fitzgerald, responsible for interviewing him. “I don’t really know what to say,” replied the winner.

“This is the first time that a match has ended in a super tie-break this year” at the Australian Open, Fitzgerald reminds him. Winner after five sets and a fight lasting 4 hours 48 minutes, Tien once again searched for his words.

An “awkward” interview

“You don’t know how to answer that either, right?” tickles the interviewer, who concludes the exchange a little later with a slightly paternalistic remark: “You can be proud of yourself, and your family can be too. Well done, young man.” The two men then shake hands and Tien enjoys the applause from the audience.

Wednesday at a press conference, the American Ben Shelton (20th) judged that Fitzgerald had disrespected his compatriot.

“I found the interview embarrassing,” commented the 22-year-old left-hander after qualifying for the semi-finals in Melbourne.

“I was a little shocked this week by the way players are treated by broadcasters (editor’s note: who are, however, not always responsible for the choice of the interviewer, sometimes designated by the tournament organizers),” he added at the conclusion of his press conference, without specifically answering a question from a journalist.

He “could be your father”

“Someone made comments to me in a post-match interview, like ‘Monfils could be your father. Besides, maybe it’s your father,” he sighed in reference to the remarks of former Australian player Roger Rasheed after his victory against French veteran Gaël Monfils (38) in the round of 16.

“Even today (editor’s note: Wednesday) I was asked “+Well, what does it feel like to know that whoever your opponent is in the next round, no one will support you in the public?+”, he continued, before the defending champion Jannik Sinner (1st) joins him in the last four thanks to his victory against the Australian Alex De Minaur (8th).

“All of that may be true, but I don’t consider that a respectful comment coming from a guy I’ve never met before,” Shelton snapped.

Slip-ups remain the exception, however, with most post-match interviews taking place without a hitch and not necessarily focusing on tennis.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka was asked to do a few dance steps, while Italian Jasmine Paolini (4th) and Polish Iga Swiatek (2nd) were asked about their coffee preferences.

AFP

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments