Ben Shelton writes patriotic message after Australian Open win

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A reporter on the Australian Open has been asking American tennis stars their ideas on the nation and what it is wish to signify the Stars and Stripes.

Ben Shelton apparently gave his reply with out even being requested.

After a victory over Valentin Vacherot within the third spherical of the Australian Open early Saturday morning, Shelton took half within the tennis custom of signing a digital camera however delivered a pointed message.

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Ben Shelton of the US reacts within the Males's Singles Third Spherical match towards Valentin Vacherot of Monaco throughout day seven of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Shi Tang/Getty Pictures)

"USA ‘til it’s backwards," Shelton signed. The phrase is a play on trendy slang used to sign unwavering assist or "standing on enterprise" for a trigger.

Taylor Fritz, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova and Naomi Osaka have all been requested related questions by a single reporter on the Australian Open. Anisimova was particularly requested if she had any emotions on taking part in for the nation "within the context of the last year of everything that’s been taking place within the U.S.," and if it "complicate[d]" her ideas.

"I don’t assume that’s related," she fired again.

John Isner and Tennys Sandgren slammed the reporter on social media.

Ben Shelton of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Lorenzo Sonego of Italy of their quarterfinal match on the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photograph/Manish Swarup)

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"Widespread opinion: Let’s ask tennis inquiries to the gamers at a tennis match. That is so lame," Isner wrote on X.

"Bug reporter," Sandgren added. "Go write for the Economist in case you have the chops. If not ask her how her backhand felt and transfer on."

Gauff was requested about her ideas on the "state of the U.S." one yr into President Donald Trump ’s second time period.

"I hope ahead that we will have much more peace in our nation and extra kindness in the best way we communicate to one another about completely different subjects and issues like that," she mentioned, by way of The Tennis Letter . "Clearly, I’ve been fairly vocal about how I felt. At this level, I really feel a bit fatigued speaking about it simply due to the truth that it's exhausting additionally being a Black girl on this nation and having to expertise issues, even on-line, and seeing marginalized communities being affected. And figuring out that I can solely donate and communicate out. I attempt my greatest to try this.

Coco Gauff of the US in motion towards Olga Danilovic of Serbia within the second spherical on Day 4 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Jan. 21, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Pictures)

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"However, yeah, I hope that as time continues that we will attain a state that we’re not presently in, and we maintain shifting ahead. I posted the video of Martin Luther King and that was type of saying, ‘We should maintain shifting ahead,’ whilst issues might not be as calm as I’d prefer it to be proper now."