New Delhi: American tennis star Ben Shelton has blasted post-match TV interviewers at the Australian Open for objectionable line questioning after reaching the semi-finals of the year’s first Grand Slam.
He defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) in the quarter-finals at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, his second consecutive appearance in the last four of Majors, having reached that stage at the US Open last year.
But he was less than impressed with the questions asked after matches, saying in his post-game news conference: “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.”
He pointed to Novak Djokovic’s refusal to speak to local broadcaster, Channel 9, after a game after its commentator’s disparaging comments against the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
It forced the channel and its employee Tony Jones to issue public apologies and Shelton doesn’t think it’s not an isolated incident.
“I don’t think that was just a single event. I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself,” he said.
Multiple incidents
Shelton also red-flagged the conversation that Learner Tien had to undergo after stunning 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in the second round, in which the interviewer commented that “19-year-olds are not meant to be that good” and “I know where you live, by the way.”
Two of his own on-court interviews were also not suited to his state, the first one was after the 22-year-old’s win against 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils in the fourth round.
The interviewer former coach Roger Rasheed jokingly said to Shelton that “he’s almost your Dad.” Since both Monfils and Shelton are Black, he responded: “Was that a Black joke?”. Rasheed replied, “I’m not sure.”
After Shelton’s win over Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday, the interviewer’s remark of not getting much support from the crowd in his next match against defending champion Jannik Sinner irked him.
“I know I’ve got a few people out in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me, too,” he answered, later saying: “may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches 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,” Shelton said.
Ben Shelton defeated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) in the quarter-finals at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, his second consecutive appearance in the last four of Majors Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
