Melbourne, Australia — American tennis sensation Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals of the Australian Open after a formidable win against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego, with a scoreline of 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday. At just 22 years old, Shelton has now reached his second Grand Slam semifinal, the first being at the U.S. Open in 2023 where he lost to Novak Djokovic. After the match, Shelton displayed gratitude towards Sonego, acknowledging the high level of tennis demonstrated throughout the encounter.

In a post-match conference, Shelton revealed his disappointment regarding how players have been treated by the media, specifically during on-court interviews. “I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” he remarked, referencing a specific exchange involving broadcaster John Fitzgerald

Shelton cited another incident involving his fourth-round match against Gael Monfils, where inappropriate remarks were directed towards him, including a claim about Monfils being “old enough to be your dad”. He criticized the lack of respect shown by interviewers, saying, “It may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.” He emphasized that broadcasters should facilitate the growth of the sport rather than contribute to a culture of negativity.

As Shelton prepares for his semifinal match against Sinner, who secured a straight-set victory over de Minaur, he remains optimistic about the support he may receive from the crowd, stating, “I know I got a few in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me, too.”

With strong performance on the court and a critical stance towards media practices, Shelton is making headlines both competitively and in discussions surrounding player treatment. This ongoing narrative highlights the importance of respectful engagement between athletes and media as the sport looks to uplift its stars.

For more on this developing story, you can read additional coverage from sources like The Guardian, USA Today, and Reuters.