By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Photo: Matthew Calvis
Happy Slam feels a bit like a Taunt Major for him Ben Shelton.
The 22-year-old Shelton paused Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) to advance to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
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At the end of his post-match presser, Shelton called out the AO host Channel 9 for what he believes is disrespect to players on the air and in on-field interviews.
21st-time winner Shelton said he was “a little shocked” by a level of disdain he believes some interviews have shown some players and branded the coverage “disgraceful”.
“I’ve been a bit shocked this week with the way the players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton told the media in Melbourne. “I don’t think that the guy who was making fun of Novak, I don’t think it was just a single incident.
“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 in his post-match interview, I thought it was kind of embarrassing. and disrespectful that interview.
After his fourth-round win over Jiri Lehecka, Djokovic spoke briefly to the crowd, but declined the mandatory on-court interview due to “offensive” comments from Channel 9 host Tony Jones.
In his post-match presser, the 37-year-old Serbian superstar said he blew up the on-field interview in protest at Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones mocking the Serbian fans and insulting Djokovic himself as a “failure” and “overrated”.
Novak Djokovic explained in his press conference that he did not want to talk to the host broadcaster Channel 9, probably because of what happened here two days ago. pic.twitter.com/YxZFu7MX9R
– José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 19, 2025
Jones’ comments were televised by host broadcaster Channel 9, as Serbian fans celebrated Djokovic’s victory by chanting “Nole! Nole!” waving Serbian flags. Jones, apparently annoyed by the cheering Serbian fans, taunted the crowd in a singing voice imitating Serbian fans but saying “Novak, he’s overrated…Novak, he has been.”
Djokovic called out Jones for “making fun of Serbian fans” and for “insulting and insulting comments towards me”.
“A few days ago the famous sports journalist who works for the official broadcaster, Channel 9 here in Australia, made fun of the Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” Djokovic told the media in Melbourne. “And since then, he has chosen not to apologize publicly. Neither does Channel 9. So, as they are the official broadcaster, I chose not to give interviews to Channel 9.
“I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public. It was a very difficult situation for me to face today on the field.
In the end, Jones apologized to Djokovic and the Grand Slam king gave a wide-ranging on-court interview after his epic quarter-final conquest of Carlos Alcaraz.
Pointing to Jones’ banter with Djokovic, he questions the 19-year-old American Your student faced after his upset as a three-time finalist Daniel Medvedev and an interviewer jokingly asking if Gael Monfils was his father, Shelton said that some questioners have crossed the line into almost deliberately antagonistic territory during this 2025 AO.
“There are some comments that have been made to me in postgame interviews by a few different guys, if it was, Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad. Maybe he is your dad,” said Shelton, whose father. , Bryan Shelton, is a former ATP professional, two-time Newport champion, and serves as his son’s coach. “Or today on the field, Hey Ben, how do you feel that no matter who you play in the next game, no one is going to cheer for you?
“I mean, it might be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”
For years, players have endured some vicious insults, personal attacks and, in extreme cases, even threats from disgruntled loser players or misanthropic social media trolls in social media posts.
In recent months, more players have spoken out against the mainstream media and host broadcasters when they felt the commentators crossed the line into outright ridicule.
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova publicly criticized Tennis Channel’s Jon Wertheim after his mocking comments on the forehand during what he thought was a test were broadcast and posted on social media.
In that case, the TC suspended Wertheim until the end of the year, although some fans and commentators actually criticized both Krejickova for the mockery and other media for her coverage, claiming that the pros should get fatter. and accept criticism as part of their work.
Some players say some Channel 9 commentators are making sarcastic and mocking comments and then claim they are just being “cheeky” or “cheeky” to soften the reaction.
Shelton says there’s a big difference between criticizing a player’s performance and a personal attack.
Shelton, who drew criticism from some commentators, fans and other players, including Djokovic, for his famous “shut up” gesture during his inspired run to the 2023 US Open semifinals, said if we’re playing in the Happy Slam , why so much negativity from the host broadcaster?
Shelton further suggests that if you can’t trust the host broadcaster investing millions of dollars to air the Australian Open to respect the players, then what does that say about the state of tennis promotion?
“I think the broadcasters should help us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won games on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments,” Shelton said. “I feel like there’s been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
