Ben Shelton shares Australian Open organizers reaction to his criticism of post-match interviews during tournament

Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American tennis player, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the Australian Open’s post-match interview practices. He criticized the “negativity” and the nature of questions posed to players during on-court interviews. Shelton highlighted an incident where an interviewer remarked that Gaël Monfils was “old enough to be his dad,” and another instance where it was implied that he wouldn’t have many fans supporting him in a potential semifinal against Jannik Sinner or Alex de Minaur.

Following these criticisms, Shelton was asked if the Australian Open organizers had reached out to him. He responded that he had not received any communication from the organizers regarding his comments.

Shelton emphasized that broadcasters should focus on supporting and celebrating athletes’ achievements rather than fostering negativity. He expressed that such comments are “embarrassing and disrespectful” and should be addressed to ensure a more positive environment for players.

His remarks have sparked discussions within the tennis community, with some players and commentators expressing support for Shelton’s perspective on the treatment of players during interviews.