Ben Shelton’s blistering message to Australian Open broadcasters leaves no room for misinterpretation
The American said he was shocked by how some players have been treated by the media in Melbourne: “There a lot of negativity”.

Ben Shelton felt the need to get something off his chest after his 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego at the Australian Open.
The American, ranked 20th in the world, ended his press conference by expressing his shock and unhappiness with the offhand and negative treatment that players have been subjected to by members of the media during the tournament - adding that he himself has been on the receiving end of it.
“One thing that I just want to say before we’re done. I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters and I don’t think the guy that mocked Novak, I don’t think that was a single event,” Shelton began.
Djokovic and Tien mocked at Australian Open
“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself. With Learner Tien in one of his matches - I think when he beat Medvedev, his postmatch interview, I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful. There have been some comments made to me in postmatch interviews by a couple of different guys: ‘Hey, [Gaël] Monfils is old enough to be your dad, maybe he is your dad...’
“Or today on the court: ‘Hey Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?’ It may be true! But I just don’t think that’s a comment that’s respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life. I feel broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and let these athletes who have just won their match on one of the biggest stages enjoy one of their biggest moments. I feel there’s just been a lot of negativity and that’s something that needs to change,” he ended.
Learner Tien’s epic battle with Daniil Medvedev lasted just under five hours but afterwards, the American, clearly exhausted, looked embarrassed by some of the passive-aggressive questions John Fitzgerald put to him. “19-year-olds are not meant to be that good,” he began. To win Tien replied, “I don’t know what to say to that,” while a few nervous laughs were heard in the crowd.
There was another uncomfortable moment when Fitzgerald piped up: “I used to live in Newport Beach so I know where you live by the way”.
Djokovic meanwhile refused to take part in an on-court interview after his 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over Jiri Lehecka. Nine presenter Tony Jones had previously mocked Novak and Serbian fans during a live broadcast.
Shelton will meet defending champion and No.1 seed Jannick Sinner in the semifinal on Thursday. Djokovic and Alexander Zverev contest the other semifinal.
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