While Ben Shelton is in headlines for being the last American left in the 2025 Australian Open race, he is also at the center of the new drama. After securing a commanding semifinal spot with a win over Lorenzo Sonego on Wednesday, he did not shy away from voicing ‘shocking‘ treatment of players by broadcasters. The ripple effect of his comments was immediate. Legendary player Chris Evert quickly expressed her agreement. Now? Other prominent names have also followed suit, including former World No. 1 Boris Becker and Czech star Jiri Lehecka.

Shelton, who became the youngest American semifinalist at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1993, voiced, “I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said candidly in his post match conference. “I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself. I noticed it with Learner Tien in one of his matches… when he beat (Daniil) Medvedev, his post-match interview was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful.”

None other than Boris Becker, the 1991 and 1996 Australian Open champion, was quick to stand with Shelton. Taking to his X account on Wednesday, the tennis icon didn’t mince words: “Absolutely agree with Ben! Courtside interviews way too long after matches… And too personal as well.”, said six-time Grand Slam champion! The wave of support didn’t stop there.

Czechia star Jiri Lehecka, currently ranked World No. 29, echoed Becker’s sentiment and threw his weight behind Shelton. “👏👏Well said, @BenShelton,” Lehecka said on his X account. 

It’s not just ATP stars rallying behind Ben Shelton—former WTA legend and one of tennis’s greatest players, Chris Evert, taking to her X account said, “I agree with Ben. Sometimes, on-court interviewers try to be funny or make it about themselves.” But amidst her critique, she made an important distinction, adding, “In saying that, Jim Courier is excellent in that role.”

Ben Shelton’s criticism of post-match broadcaster behavior ignited debates, but it’s just one piece of the drama that has marred the Australian Open.

Tournament’s new courtside coaching pods, which allowed the coach to sit close to players, came under the scanner at the start with players like Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas expressing unease over the concept; Novak Djokovic’s standoff with Australian broadcaster Channel 9 was another one.

Djokovic, upset over disparaging remarks from journalist Tony Jones, refused an on-court interview after his fourth-round win over Jiří Lehecka. Jones had called Djokovic “overrated” and insulted Serbian fans, prompting Djokovic to demand an apology; which Jones later did. Additionally, Marta Kostyuk’s awkward third round post-match handshake with Paula Badosa added another layer of drama.

As the story goes; Ben Shelton would now like to shift his focus from off-court to on court as he braces for the Jannik Sinner showdown.

The American underdog, Ben Shelton’s “redlining” against Sinner

Ben Shelton’s journey at the 2025 Australian Open has been nothing short of a dream run, but his ultimate test lies ahead—a semifinal showdown with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The stakes couldn’t be higher for the 22-year-old Atlanta native, who is aiming to make his maiden Grand Slam final in only his second semifinal appearance, the first since his breakthrough run at the 2023 US Open.

Their rivalry, although brief, has already seen five encounters, with the Italian dominating four of them. Shelton’s lone victory came in a spirited comeback at the 2023 Shanghai Masters, where he rallied to victory, but since then, the scales have tilted heavily in Sinner’s favor. And Ben Shelton’s knows what lies ahead. “I think it’s a calculated risk. You have to choose your moments, still be confident in the things that you trust,” 22-year-old told reporters. “I don’t think I’ll be redlining.”

“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. But I don’t think that ‘redlining’ would be the term. I think that 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.”

Time will tell if Shelton’s any tweak can find defending champion off guard. But one thing is for sure, the match will be nothing less than a spectacle, with two young guns going at each other.