After surviving a grinding four-set battle against plucky Italian Lorenzo Sonego to book his first semi-final appearance at Melbourne Park, the 21st seed spoke out about "disrespectful" on-court interviews.
Shelton felt Channel Nine host Tony Jones's now-infamous on-air sledge of Novak Djokovic was not just a "single event".
"I've been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters," he said.
Ben Shelton has blasted the host broadcaster and criticised the post-match on-court interviews. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
"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, I thought it was kind of embarrassing and disrespectful."
After defeating Sonego, Shelton was asked about the prospect of facing world No.1 Jannik Sinner or Australian hero Alex de Minaur in the semi-finals and the crowd almost certainly being against him.
"You guys can boo me, you can throw stuff in my head, I understand," a grinning Shelton responded at the time.
But during the takedown, he admitted taking offence to the question.
"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 said.
"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, 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 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."
Earlier, Shelton failed to lose another point after crashing into the advertising boards, getting up from the ground via a push-up, during a rollercoaster fourth-set tiebreaker.
Ben Shelton takes a tumble into the signboards on his way to victory against Sonego. (AP PHOTO)
Shelton roared after securing the victory, then passionately celebrated with members of his box.
In Shelton's second major semi-final, after previously making the final-four at the US Open in 2023, he will meet Sinner after the Italian star demolished de Minaur in less than two hours.
Ranked 55, Sonego had previously never made it past the fourth round at a grand slam.
Despite playing a wildcard and two qualifiers in three of his first four matches at the Open, Sonego threatened to take Shelton to a fifth and deciding set after dropping the first two.
Ah, what... How did the ball end up there?!— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) Not for the first time at #AO2025, Lorenzo Sonego wins a crazy point!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/UifdSZjdEzJanuary 22, 2025
In a rare mid-match display of camaraderie, Shelton shook hands with Sonego at the end after an extraordinary point.
Sonego pulled off an unplayable backhand volley, diving to return an attempted passing shot, with the ball spinning away from Shelton after bouncing to the other side of the net.
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