Rising American tennis star Ben Shelton has joined Novak Djokovic in calling out broadcasters at the Australian Open 2025 for their alleged disrespectful behavior toward players. Shelton’s comments come in the wake of Djokovic’s refusal to give a courtside interview with Jim Courier after defeating Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round, citing offensive and racist remarks by Nine Network reporter Tony Jones.
During a press conference following his quarter-final victory over Lorenzo Sonego, Shelton expressed his frustration with the tone and content of questions asked by broadcasters. Referring to an earlier incident during his match against Gael Monfils, Shelton revealed he was asked if Monfils, a veteran player, was “old enough to be his dad.”
Shelton also took issue with another question posed after his quarter-final win: “How does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?” Shelton called these comments disrespectful and argued they detract from the players’ accomplishments on the court.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and celebrating athletes who have just won on the biggest stage,” Shelton said. “Instead, there’s been a lot of negativity, and I think that’s something that needs to change.”
Shelton pointed to other instances of poor treatment, including an interview with Learner Tien after his upset victory over Daniil Medvedev. “I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful,” Shelton said of the interview, adding that the pattern of negativity seems widespread.
This echoes Novak Djokovic’s recent decision to boycott a courtside interview after demanding an apology for alleged racist insults. Djokovic’s stand has sparked broader conversations about the conduct of broadcasters at major tennis events and the treatment of players during high-pressure moments.
Ben Shelton’s impressive performance has earned him a semi-final clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Friday. In the other men’s semi-final, Novak Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev. Both matches are highly anticipated, with players and fans alike calling for a renewed focus on the sport rather than off-court controversies.
Shelton’s candid remarks highlight a growing sentiment among players that broadcasters must do more to respect athletes and uplift the sport. “We’re here to compete, to give our best, and to inspire fans,” Shelton concluded. “Let’s keep the focus on that.”
As the Australian Open 2025 reaches its final stages, the controversies surrounding broadcasters remain a topic of heated discussion, with players urging organizers to address the issue and ensure a more positive environment in the future.