Ben Shelton‘s comments about Australian Open’s on-court interviews have been supported by Chris Evert.
There has been some scintillating action on court over the past 11 days at Melbourne Park which has featured some truly memorable moments.
But other topics have taken centre stage. During week one, the Australian Open crowds were a big talking point, and now the event’s broadcast and on-court interviews have been placed at the forefront.
One of those most vocal about the on-court interviews is Ben Shelton, who took some time after his quarter-final to speak out.
Chris Evert reacts to Ben Shelton’s Australian Open on-court interviews comments
Shelton took some time at the end of his press conference to criticise some of the on-court interviews that have been conducted during the 2025 Australian Open.
This came after Shelton beat Gael Monfils and was told the Frenchman is “old enough to be his dad”, and it was implied that he would not have many fans on his side if he played Jannik Sinner or Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals.
Furthermore, Novak Djokovic declined an on-court interview after his fourth round match, following comments from Channel 9’s Tony Jones about him and his fans.
“I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said after beating Lorenzo Sonego to reach the semi-finals.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage 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.”
There has been plenty of reaction to Shelton’s comments and one of the biggest names to express their thoughts is 18-time Grand Slam winner Chris Evert, who agreed with what the 22-year-old had to say, but also praised one particular broadcaster.
“I agree with Ben. Sometimes, on court interviewers try to be funny or make it about themselves,” she wrote. “In saying that, @RealJimCourier is excellent in that role.”
World number 29 Jiri Lehecka, who lost to Djokovic in the quarter-finals, was also in favour of Shelton’s comments, as he posted on X: “Well said @BenShelton.”
Ben Shelton prepares for first Australian Open semi-final
Despite his disappointment with the on-court interviews, Shelton is thrilled to be in his first Australian Open semi-final.
He joined Rafael Nadal as just the second left-handed player since 1988 to reach the last four of both hard court Grand Slams, as he also made the US Open semi-finals in 2023.
Shelton will be up against the World number one and defending champion Sinner, who wasted no time in dispatching De Minaur for the loss of just six games in the quarter-finals.
The American will be trying to defeat Sinner for the first time since 2023 and reach his first major final, but he will have to produce a special performance.
“If anything, I’ve been, in terms of my baseline play, a bit more conservative this tournament, okay with going deep in rallies. Probably have to step that up a little bit in the semifinals,” Shelton said when discussing how he would play against Sinner.
“A more aggressive game style, that’s taking the ball a little earlier or serve and volleying more or taking the first ball line and running in instead of, you know, hitting five or six forehands in a row.
“I think that I’m figuring out ways to make guys uncomfortable without just playing at my upper limits and slapping.”
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