Shelton reaches Australian Open semi-final and blasts ‘disrespectful’ broadcasters
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Ben Shelton, a 22-year-old from Atlanta, is through to his first Australian Open semi-final after defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday in Melbourne. Shelton has competed in only one previous grand slam semi-final, when he lost to the eventual champion, Novak Djokovic, at the 2023 US Open.
On Wednesday, Shelton prevailed by playing a steadier ground game than his opponent. Sonego finished with a slight edge in winners, 63-54, but he committed far more unforced errors, 55-33. “I feel relieved right now, shoutout to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis,” Shelton said afterwards on court. “I’m just really happy to be through, to get my first win on Rod Laver Arena. Thanks everybody for coming out, it was one of my favourite matches of my career.”.
Shelton, however, was critical of the grand slam’s on-court interviewers to task for being “disrespectful” to players. He was interviewed on court by the Australian former Davis Cup player John Fitzgerald, who suggested no one would be cheering the American in his semi-final, with his opponent yet to be confirmed between the defending champion Jannik Sinner or local hope Alex De Minaur. Sinner later beat De Minaur in straight sets in the evening session at Rod Laver Arena.
On court, Shelton laughed off the comment and said home fans were welcome to boo him or “throw stuff at [his] head” if supporting De Minaur. But he was scathing in his post-match press conference. “I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said.
