Australian Open in fresh controversy over ‘disrespectful’ TV interviews

Ben Shelton has spoken out about post-match interviews at the Australian Open. Photo / Getty Images

The Australian Open has been plunged into further controversy after America’s Ben Shelton became the latest player to criticise “disrespectful” television interviewers.

After Shelton reached the semifinals, he concluded his news conference by saying: “One thing that I just want to say before we’re done: I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters.”

Interesting end to Ben Shelton’s press conference.

Unprompted, he took a moment to tear into the quality of local broadcasting and specifically on-court interviewing at #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/ig76VrKq2C

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2025

He began by referencing the furore over a television commentator’s on-air insults about Serbian tennis fans, which resulted in Novak Djokovic refusing to speak with host broadcasters Channel Nine following his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka. Djokovic eventually relented after receiving public apologies from the network and Nine reporter Tony Jones.

“I don’t think that was just a single event,” Shelton said. “I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.”

Shelton went on to mention the interview with 19-year-old American Learner Tien after his win over Daniil Medvedev ended at about 3am in the second round at Melbourne Park last week, calling it “embarrassing and disrespectful”.

That awkward exchange included a series of statements to Tien, rather than questions, including observations by the interviewer that “19-year-olds are not meant to be that good” and “I know where you live, by the way”.

Shelton also noted two of his own on-court TV interviews. After the 22-year-old’s win against 38-year-old French veteran Gael Monfils in the fourth round, interviewer Roger Rasheed, a former tennis coach, attempted to make a joke by saying: “He’s almost your dad.”

Shelton responded to Rasheed: “Was that a black joke?” To which Rasheed replied: “I’m not sure.”

Following Shelton’s 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 victory over Lorenzo Sonego in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, he was asked about facing either the defending champion, Jannik Sinner, or an Australian player, Alex de Minaur, next, with the interviewer pointing out that the spectators likely would be cheering against Shelton in the semifinals, either way.

Shelton answered: “I know I’ve got a few people out in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me, too.”

At his news conference, Shelton said that what the interviewer said about the fans’ support “may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life”.

Shelton added: “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 Australian Open has a long history when it comes to embarrassing players. In 2015, during an interview, the then 20-year-old Eugenie Bouchard was asked by a male presenter to “Give us a twirl”.

Bouchard did as she was asked, then laughed and buried her face in her hands. “It was very unexpected,” said Bouchard at the time. “I don’t know, an old guy asking you to twirl. It was funny.”