MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open with a victory over Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday, added his voice to the chorus of players critical of broadcasters and interviewers during his tenure on the pitch on the press conference after the sport.
“I was a little shocked this week at how players were treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said.
At the highest of his list of grievances was Tony Jones, the Channel 9 sports reporter who mocked Serbian fans, insulted Novak Djokovic and shouted “throw him out” on television. It was an apparent reference to Djokovic being deported from Australia two years ago because of Covid-19 protocols.
Jones apologized on radio and said he had “overstepped the mark” after Djokovic called his comments “insulting and offensive.” He had refused to provide interviews in court until he received the apology.
“I don’t think this was just a single event,” Shelton said. “I’ve noticed it in different people, not just myself.”
He mentioned American learner Tien's on-court interview, a stilted conversation at 3 a.m. by which an exhausted and dazed Tien, 19, became the topic of some taunts when two questions left him somewhat speechless in the course of nearly five hours of tennis Night. He had just knocked out Daniil Medvedev, the No. 5 seed.
“19-year-olds aren’t supposed to be that good,” said interviewer John Fitzgerald. He then asked Tien if he had ever heard of his next opponent, Corentin Moutet.
“I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches,” Shelton said. “I think when he beat Medvedev, his post-match interview. I found it kind of embarrassing and disrespectful.”
Shelton then turned to his own experiences. After his fourth-round win over Gael Monfils, the interviewer told Shelton that Monfils may very well be his father. Monfils is black, as is Shelton, who responded, “Is this a black joke?”
He later said he didn't think the interviewer meant any malice with the comment, but that it still made him uncomfortable.
“There are some comments made to me in post-match interviews by various players. On the field today: “Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no one will be cheering you on, no matter who you play in your next game?”
“I mean, that may be true, but I just don't find the comment respectful from a man I've never met before in my life.”
Shelton said he felt the broadcasters and interviewers weren't doing a great enough job of promoting tennis.
“I believe broadcasters should help us grow our sport and help these athletes who have just won games on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments. I feel like there's just been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Tennis Australia was not immediately able to reply to Shelton's comments.
image credit : www.nytimes.com