Shelton joins Djokovic in calling out Aus Open broadcasters over ‘negativity’

Source : ABC NEWS

American star Ben Shelton has become the latest player to take aim at Australian Open broadcasters following Novak Djokovic’s spat with Channel Nine.

Shelton advanced to the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the first time in his career courtesy of a 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday afternoon at Rod Laver Arena.

At the end of his media conference, an unprompted Shelton unloaded on the behaviour of broadcasters and on-court interviewers during the tournament.

“I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” he told reporters.

“The guy who mocked Novak, I don’t think that was just a single event. 

“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself. I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview, I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful that interview. 

“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, ‘Hey, 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?’. 

“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.”

The Learner Tien interview Shelton referenced came after Tien had upset number five seed Daniil Medvedev earlier in the Australian Open.

Tien, 19, was interviewed by former Australian doubles champion John Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald started the interview by telling Tien “19-year-olds are not meant to be that good”, to which Tien awkwardly replied, “I mean, I don’t know what to say to that” as the crowd laughed.

Fitzgerald then followed up by telling Tien, a Newport Beach resident, “I used to live in Newport Beach, so I know where you live, by the way”.

Shelton’s comments came after Novak Djokovic refused to do an on-court interview with Jim Courier following his fourth-round win over Jiří Lehečka.

Djokovic revealed later that his refusal to do the interview was nothing against Courier, but rather Nine presenter Tony Jones, who he claimed had mocked Serbian fans during a TV live cross earlier in the tournament.

Jones has since apologised to Djokovic and the 10-time Australian Open champion spoke to Courier on Tuesday night following his thrilling quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz.

Shelton’s comments come after former Australian pro Jelena Dokic, who is a part of Nine’s coverage, hit back at criticism of her on-court interview with Madison Keys after her all-American clash against Danielle Collins. 

Awkward on-court interviews are not anything new at the Australian Open, or indeed the other three grand slam tournaments across the globe. 

They are often intended to be more light-hearted than a regular press conference, with the aim to allow the player to show off more of their personality. 

But that doesn’t mean interviewers have not crossed the line.

In 2015, Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard was caught up in an unfortunate interview with a reporter named Ian Cohen, who encouraged to her to give him a twirl to show off her outfit.

“It was very unexpected. I mean, yeah, I don’t know … An old guy asking you to twirl? It was funny,” Bouchard later said when asked about the awkward exchange.

There was further awkwardness this summer when Carlos Alcaraz was put in the strange position of having to discuss Alex de Minaur’s recent engagement to Katie Boulter following a charity hit-out against the Aussie. 

“I mean, I already told him congratulations,” a smiling Alcaraz said.

“I don’t know if you are sure about it.

“No, I mean, I’ve seen them in tournaments. I don’t know Katie very much, but it seems she’s a really nice person so I think you’re going to enjoy this marriage. Hopefully everything’s going to be good. And, yeah, congratulations.”

Defending Australian Open men’s champion Jannik Sinner was also caught up in an awkward exchange earlier in the tournament.

Sinner was being interviewed by US tennis legend John McEnroe, who asked the Italian whether he had played juniors against Tristan Schoolkate, prior to the pair’s second-round clash.

This question came despite the fact that it is common knowledge Sinner did not partake in junior tournaments growing up as a late-bloomer.

Sinner and Shelton will both have the chance to answer some more awkward questions when they face off for a spot in the Australian Open final on Friday.