'Deserved a shoutout': Ben Shelton denies 'underlying message' in pro-USA camera signature
American star Ben Shelton has defended his post-match message, taking to social media after copping plenty of criticism online at the Australian Open third round.
Shelton wrote the phrase "USA til it's backwards" on the camera after his straight-sets win against 30th seed Valentin Vacherot on Saturday.
The world No.8 has since explained his message and defended his stance after copping some backlash in the hours following the match.
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Ben Shelton has defended his pro-USA message. Getty/Twitter
"Literally no underlying message with my camera sign," Shelton said via Instagram.
"A lot of young Americans killing it in Australia this year and my girlfriend [football star Trinity Rodman] played for team USA for the first time in a year.
"Thought they deserved a shoutout."
A handful of American players have received questions about the current political climate in their home country during the grand slam.
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Amanda Anisimova was quizzed about representing USA right now and said things away from the tennis court had no bearing on her feelings.
"I don't think that's relevant," she said during the tournament.
Madison Keys - last year's champion at Melbourne Park - admitted she was "not a fan of the divisiveness" happening in the United States.
Madison Keys. Getty
"I think my stance has been pretty obvious," she said.
"I think it's pretty obvious where I stand, and I am hopeful that we as a country can come together and get back to the values that I think make our country great.
"I am not a fan of divisiveness, and I think the beauty of the US is we are a mixing pot. We are a home of immigrants and I hope that we can get back to those values."
Shelton, Keys, Anisimova and Taylor Fritz are among the Americans to advance to the fourth round at the first major of the year.
