Australian Open 2025 as it happened: Shelton hits out at broadcasters over ‘negativity’; Sinner sends de Minaur packing

Two-time major semi-finalist Ben Shelton has taken a swipe at broadcasters at the Australian Open, complaining about the line of questioning of some players in on-court interviews.

American Shelton, 22, ended his media conference after his quarter-final victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego by saying he was “shocked” by how some players had been treated during interviews.

The world No.20 referenced the controversial incident in which Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones was embroiled in a spat with Novak Djokovic after the star player threatened to boycott the network over what he labelled as “insulating and offensive” remarks.

“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak – I don’t think that was just a single event,” said Shelton.

“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.

“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.”

Shelton cited two interviews of concern for him – an on-court chat conducted with Learner Tien after the American eliminated Daniil Medvedev in a second-round match which finished at close to 3am, and another interview conducted with Shelton, himself, after advanced past veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils in a fourth-round walkover.

“I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview – I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful, that interview,” said Shelton.

By winning his quarter-final against Sonego, Shelton set up a semi-final berth - ultimately against world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, but there was plenty of local optimism that Alex de Minaur may just pull off a shock upset.

“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, ‘Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad’ .… 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?’

“I mean, [that] may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”

That’s all we have for you tonight everyone.

Thanks so much for joining us and we will be back tomorrow with more live coverage as we count down to women’s semi-finals night at Rod Laver Arena.

We will also have more Australian Open coverage on our webpages overnight and tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Click here for our picture gallery from day 11 including some great pics from tonight’s match.

Given Jannik Sinner’s dominant win over Alex de Minaur, there’s plenty of thirst for tennis on this mild Wednesday night on Rod Laver Arena.

Enter two of the greatest Australian tennis heroes of modern times: Lleyton Hewitt and Mark “The Scud” Philippoussis.

They’ve taken centre stage in front of their adoring faithful to come against Cypriot cult hero Marcos Baghdatis and American former star James Blake in the legends men’s doubles.

While none of the four are moving quite as well as they used to, and the passing shots don’t quite have the same heat on them that they once did, one thing has remained the same – The Scud’s awesome serve.

He’s already nailed a 185km/h second serve ace against Baghdatis, and another first serve down the middle at 193km/h. Not a bad effort for a 48-year-old.

Two-time major semi-finalist Ben Shelton has taken a swipe at broadcasters at the Australian Open, complaining about the line of questioning of some players in on-court interviews.

American Shelton, 22, ended his media conference after his quarter-final victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego by saying he was “shocked” by how some players had been treated during interviews.

The world No.20 referenced the controversial incident in which Channel Nine sports presenter Tony Jones was embroiled in a spat with Novak Djokovic after the star player threatened to boycott the network over what he labelled as “insulating and offensive” remarks.

“I don’t think that the guy who mocked Novak – I don’t think that was just a single event,” said Shelton.

“I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.

“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.”

Shelton cited two interviews of concern for him – an on-court chat conducted with Learner Tien after the American eliminated Daniil Medvedev in a second-round match which finished at close to 3am, and another interview conducted with Shelton, himself, after advanced past veteran Frenchman Gael Monfils in a fourth-round walkover.

“I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches. I think when he beat Medvedev his post-match interview – I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful, that interview,” said Shelton.

By winning his quarter-final against Sonego, Shelton set up a semi-final berth - ultimately against world No.1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, but there was plenty of local optimism that Alex de Minaur may just pull off a shock upset.

“There are some comments that have been made to me in post-match interviews by a couple of different guys, whether it was, ‘Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad’ .… 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?’

“I mean, [that] may be true, but I just don’t think the comment is respectful from a guy I’ve never met before in my life.”

Sinner is just too good. Too long, too strong, too quick, too mentally alert.

Too everything.

Sinner was sick two days ago. Now he is the good sick. Just a sick tennis player, as the kids used to say.

Sinner leads 6-3, 6-2, 5-1.