MELBOURNE, Australia — Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who advanced to the Australian Open semifinals with a win over Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday, added his voice to the chorus of players who have criticized broadcasters and on-court interviewers. . Press conference after the match.
“I was a little shocked by the way the players were treated by the broadcasters this week,” Shelton said.
He tops his list of complaints against Channel 9 sportscaster Tony Jones, who mocked Serbian fans, bad-mouthed Novak Djokovic and shouted “get rid of him” on air. This was an apparent reference to Djokovic's expulsion from Australia two years ago over COVID-19 protocols.
After Djokovic called Jones' comments “insulting and disgusting,” Jones apologized on air, saying he had “exceeded standards.” He had refused on-court interviews until he received an apology.
“I don't think it was a one-time event,” Shelton said. “I realized that not only for me, but for other people as well.”
He mentioned American learner Tien's on-court interview. Tien, 19, exhausted and dazed during a boring conversation at 3 a.m., became the subject of ridicule after playing midfield tennis for nearly five hours, when he became a little speechless on two questions. night. He had just defeated fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Interviewer John Fitzgerald said, “A 19-year-old can't be that good.'' He then asked Tien if he had heard about his next opponent, Corentin Moutet.
“I noticed it in one of the Lerner Tien games,” Shelton said. “I remember the post-fight interview when he beat Medvedev. I thought it was embarrassing and disrespectful in a way.”
Shelton then turned to his own experience. After his fourth-round victory over Gael Monfils, an interviewer told Shelton that Monfils could be his father. Monfils is black, and Shelton responded, “Is that a black joke?”
He later said that although he did not think the interviewer meant any malicious intent in the comment, he still found it offensive.
“There were some comments from some of the players in the post-game interviews. On the court today, I said, 'Hey, Ben, no matter who you play in the next game, no one's going to cheer you on. think?”
“That may be true, but I don't think a comment from a man I've never met in my life is respectful.”
Shelton said he feels broadcasters and interviewers aren't doing a good enough job promoting tennis.
“I feel like broadcasters should support the growth of our sport and help our athletes enjoy their best moments after winning a game on the biggest stage. I feel like that needs to change.”
Tennis Australia did not immediately respond to Shelton's comment.
(Nick Denholm/Getty Images)
