Ben Shelton slams ‘embarrassing and disrespectful’ interviews by Australian Open broadcasters
Melbourne, Australia – Ben Sheltonthe 22-year-old American is the one who made Australian Open In Wednesday’s semi-final win over Lorenzo Sonego, he added his voice to the chorus of players who criticized broadcasters and on-court interviewers in his post-match press conference.
“I was a little shocked this week by the way the announcers treated the players,” Shelton said.
His list of complaints is issued by: Tony Jones, Channel 9 sports presenter, Who made fun of Serbian fans Novak Djokovic calls and shouts, “Kick him out.”“On air. This was a clear reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia two years ago due to Covid-19 protocols.
Jones apologized on air, saying he had “crossed the line” after Djokovic described his comments as “insulting and insulting”. He had refused to give interviews in court until he received the apology.
“I don’t think this was just one event,” Shelton said. “I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.”
He mentioned an American Learner TianIn an on-court interview, it was an elaborate 3 a.m. conversation in which Tian, an exhausted and bewildered 19-year-old, became the subject of ridicule when two questions left him speechless after nearly five hours of midnight tennis. He just knocked out Daniil Medvedev, the No. 5 seed.
“19-year-olds aren’t supposed to be that good,” said John Fitzgerald, who conducted the interview. He then asked Tian if he had heard of his next rival, Corentin Moute.
“I noticed this with Learner Tian in one of his matches,” Shelton said. “I think when he beat Medvedev, he was interviewed after the match. I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful.
Shelton then turned to his own experiences. After winning the fourth round Gael MonfilsThe interviewer told Shelton that Monfils could be his father. Moonves is black, as is Shelton, who responded: “Is this a black joke?”
He later said he didn’t think the interviewer meant any malice in his comment, but it still made him feel uncomfortable.
“There are some comments made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different people. Today on the field, ‘Hey Ben, how do you feel that no matter who you play in your next game, no one’s going to be rooting for you?’
“I mean, that may be true, but I don’t think it’s a respectful comment coming from a man I’ve never met before in my life.”
Shelton said he felt that broadcasters and interviewers did not do a good enough job of promoting tennis.
“I feel like broadcasters should help us grow our sport and help those athletes who have just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments. I feel like there’s been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Tennis Australia was not immediately able to respond to Shelton’s comments.
(Nick Denholm/Getty Images)
