2025.01.23 17:54World eye

全豪4強入りシェルトン 「無礼」なTVインタビュー非難

【メルボルンAFP=時事】全豪オープンテニスは22日、男子シングルス準々決勝が行われ、大会第21シードのベン・シェルトン(米国)は、ノーシードのロレンツォ・ソネゴ(イタリア)を6-4、7-5、4-6、7-6 (7-4)で下して自身初の大会4強入りを果たしたが、今大会の試合後に行われている数々のオンコートインタビューについて「ショックを受けた」と述べ、「無礼」だと非難した。(写真は、全豪オープンテニス男子シングルス準々決勝を終え、ロレンツォ・ソネゴと握手をするベン・シェルトン〈右〉)
 シェルトンは記者会見で「きょうコートの上で『ベン、次の試合で誰と対戦したとしても、誰も君を応援しないというのはどう感じる?』(といった内容の質問された)」とし、「それが事実かもしれないが、一度も会ったことのない人からのコメントとしては尊敬に欠けると思う」と述べた。
 「放送局は私たちのスポーツを成長させ、最大の舞台で試合に勝った選手たちがその瞬間を楽しむ手助けをすべきだと思う。ネガティブな要素が多すぎると思う。それは変える必要がある」
 シェルトンはまた、ガエル・モンフィス(フランス)に勝利した4回戦後のインタビューでも、「父親」はモンフィスかと尋ねられるような質問をされ、黒人を父に持つシェルトンは「それは黒人ジョーク?」と返答していた。
 今週、豪テレビ局の司会者がノバク・ジョコビッチや同選手の母国セルビアのファンを嘲笑したことについて、番組放送中に謝罪していた。
 シェルトンは「ノバクをあざ笑った人、あれ一度きりだとは思わない」とし、「自分だけでなく、他の選手にもみられる現象だ」と語った。
 「ラーナー・ティエン(米国)の試合でもそれを感じた。彼が(ダニール・)メドベージェフに勝った後のインタビューは当惑したし、無礼だと思った」「放送局からの扱われ方に少しショックを受けている」
 シェルトンは準決勝で、大会連覇を目指す第1シードのヤニック・シナー(イタリア)と対戦する。【翻訳編集AFPBBNews】
〔AFP=時事〕(2025/01/23-17:54)
2025.01.23 17:54World eye

Semi-finalist Shelton 'shocked' by 'embarrassing' Melbourne TV hosts


Australian Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton said Wednesday he was shocked by on-court TV interviews at Melbourne Park, slamming them as disrespectful.
The all-action 22-year-old told reporters after battling past Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in the quarter-finals that he felt a lot of negativity.
A leading TV presenter this week apologised on air to Novak Djokovic for mocking the 24-time Grand Slam winner and Serbian fans.
The 37-year-old great had said he would refuse to do on-court interviews until he got an apology.
I don't think that the guy who mocked Novak, I don't think that was just a single event, Shelton told reporters. I've noticed it with different people, not just myself.
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.
I've been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters, Shelton added.
He was asked after beating veteran Gael Monfils in the fourth round if the Frenchman was his dad.
Shelton, whose father is black, replied: Is that a black joke?
The American faces Jannik Sinner in the last four after coming through an almost four-hour battle with the unseeded Sonego.
- A lot of negativity -
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Shelton said: Whether it was, 'Hey, Monfils is old enough to be your dad. Maybe he is 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, 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.
I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just 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.
The world number 55 Sonego had refused to lie down after losing the first two sets to Shelton, who came through on a fourth-set tiebreak.
I'm relieved right now, said Shelton, who unleashed the joint-fastest serve of the tournament, clocked at 232kph (144mph).
Shout-out to Lorenzo because that was some ridiculous tennis.
Both players benefited from a quarter of the draw that was left wide open after the early exits of top-10 seeds Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.
Sonego, 29, had ended the runs of two of the hottest young properties in tennis and ousted a former champion on his way to his first quarter-final in a Slam.
He knocked out the 2014 Australian Open winner Stan Wawrinka in round one, then beat NextGen champion Joao Fonseca, 18, in a five-set epic.
In the fourth round he overcame 19-year-old Tien, the conqueror of three-time finalist Medvedev.

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