Shelton decries Australian Open broadcasters ahead of semi-finals

Ben Shelton is not happy with the way Channel 9 is treating tennis players at the Australian Open this year.

The American, who is through to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park, took the time to express his concerns in a press conference ahead of his clash with Jannik Sinner on Friday.

“One thing that I just want to say before we’re done,” he said.

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

A feud between Tony Jones and Novak Djokovic dominated headlines earlier this week after the Channel 9 reporter openly mocked the 10-time champion and his Serbian fans on live TV.

This prompted Djokovic to refuse an on-court interview with the host broadcaster after his round-of-16 victory over Jiri Lehecka and demand an apology in the post-match press conference.

However, Shelton believes this is not the only instance of disrespect by reporters in Melbourne.

“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak, I don’t think that was just a single event,” he said.

“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.”

The comments Shelton is referring to occurred when an on-court interviewer said to Tien after his match, “19-year-olds shouldn’t be this good” and “I know where you live”.

Shelton went on to explain two instances of disrespect that he personally has felt.

“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys,” he said.

“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 mean, 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’s comments come with tournament organisers already under-fire for fan behaviour at the 2025 Australian Open, with several instances of players getting upset at mid-rally interruptions.

The American has a tall task ahead of him in his next match, with top seed Sinner slated as a $1.05 favourite across tennis bookmakers to defeat him in the semi-finals.

Bet365 is paying a long $11 for the 22-year-old to pull off an upset.

Sinner has defeated Shelton in each of their past four encounters, but the world No.20 will take solace from his sole victory against the Italian in 2023.

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