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American tennis star Ben Shelton, 22, has expressed his disappointment with broadcasters over their approach to on-court and post-match interviews during the Australian Open 2025. Shelton, a first-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, believes the line of questioning has often been disrespectful and fails to uplift players after significant victories.
After his quarter-final win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, Shelton addressed the issue, saying he was “shocked” by how players have been treated during interviews. He specifically referenced a controversial incident involving Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones and Novak Djokovic. Djokovic had earlier criticized the broadcaster for remarks he described as “insulting and offensive.”
Negative Experiences for Players
Shelton also highlighted instances where players, including himself and fellow American Learner Tien, faced disrespectful comments. Tien’s post-match interview after defeating Daniil Medvedev in a second-round match that ended at 3 a.m. was labeled “embarrassing and disrespectful” by Shelton.
Similarly, Shelton recalled his own experience after advancing past Gael Monfils in a fourth-round walkover. He cited comments like, “Monfils is old enough to be your dad,” and being told, “No one will cheer for you in your next match,” as examples of unhelpful and discouraging remarks.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and celebrating our successes on the biggest stage,” said Shelton. “There’s been a lot of negativity, and I think that needs to change.”
Moving Forward
Shelton’s victory over Sonego has set up a semi-final clash against world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner. Despite his criticism of broadcasters, Shelton remains focused on his performance and hopes the tennis community will work towards fostering a more positive environment for players.
Calls for Change
Shelton’s comments have sparked a conversation about the role of media in sports and the importance of respecting athletes. As he continues his journey in the Australian Open, Shelton’s voice adds to the growing call for broadcasters to prioritize uplifting narratives and respectful dialogue in post-match interactions.
This discussion could lead to improved media practices and better support for athletes in future tournaments.
