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.
“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak [Djokovic], I don’t think that was just a single event. I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.”
Djokovic was annoyed by comments made by Australian broadcaster Tony Jones, saying the Serb was “overrated” and a “has-been”. Djokovic declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones.
Shelton said he was also put off during his post-match interview after playing the 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils in the fourth round. “There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was: ‘Hey, [Gael] Monfils is old enough to be your dad. Maybe he is your dad,’” Shelton added.
“Or today on the court: ‘Hey, Ben, how does it feel that no matter who you play in your next match, no one is going to be cheering for you?’ 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.”
Shelton signed off by saying broadcasters should help grow the sport and help athletes who won matches on the biggest stage to 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,” he said.
His semi-final opponent will be the reigning champion and top seed, Jannik Sinner of Italy.
Shelton told the crowd: “If it’s the No 1 in the world, I’m looking forward to it. I know I got a few in the crowd who are going to be pulling for me, too.”
Shelton has two ATP titles to his name, although both are in relatively minor events: the 2023 Japan Open in Tokyo and the 2024 US Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston. Last year he failed to reach the quarter-finals in all four grand slam tournaments.
