In a bold move that echoes the sentiments of many athletes, American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has taken a stand against the behavior of Australian Open broadcasters, following the recent altercation involving Novak Djokovic and Channel Nine.
Shelton made headlines by reaching the semifinals at Melbourne Park for the first time, triumphing over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego with a gripping 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) victory at Rod Laver Arena. However, it was his comments during the post-match media conference that truly captured attention.
Unprompted, Shelton expressed his astonishment at how players have been treated by broadcasters throughout the tournament. “I’ve been a little bit shocked this week,” he admitted, reflecting on the disrespect he and others have encountered in interviews.
He pointed out a recent incident involving Learner Tien, who faced off against fifth seed Daniil Medvedev. During Tien’s post-match interview, former doubles champion John Fitzgerald remarked, “19-year-olds are not meant to be that good,” to which Tien awkwardly responded, “I mean, I don’t know what to say to that,” eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Shelton did not hold back, stating, “The guy who mocked Novak? I don’t think that was just a single event.” He recounted his own experiences, including comments made during interviews that seemed more aimed at generating laughs than celebrating athletic achievement. “I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and support the athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage,” he asserted.
His call for change resonates deeply, highlighting a need for a more respectful and positive approach to post-match coverage. As the tournament continues, it remains to be seen how these remarks will influence the narrative surrounding the Australian Open and its treatment of players.
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