American tennis star Ben Shelton delivered a striking patriotic statement following his third-round victory at the Australian Open on Saturday. The move comes as a left-wing reporter keeps trying to provoke players into making negative comments about President Trump.
The 23-year-old Shelton, representing the United States, defeated Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot in straight sets to advance to the round of 16. He has yet to drop a set in the tournament thus far.
In a post-match tradition, the WTA’s 7th-ranked player signed a courtside camera lens—a common ritual for players—and inscribed the message: “USA ‘til it’s backwards.”
The phrase appears to riff on contemporary slang often used to express unwavering loyalty or commitment to a cause. It often means “all day, every day” or acting in support of something indefinitely.
Ben Shelton signs the camera after reaching the 2nd week of the Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 24, 2026
"USA 'til it's backwards"
🇺🇲 pic.twitter.com/cF0tYOrLcL
Ben Shelton “USA ’til it’s backwards” Message Shuts Down Reporter’s Push for Anti-Trump Comments at Australian Open
The comment drew immediate attention online and in media coverage, with some outlets and fans interpreting it as a bold, unapologetic show of support for the country amid ongoing political discussions.
Others noted divided reactions among tennis followers, with praise for its directness and criticism labeling it as potentially divisive or “anti-woke” in certain commentary.
Either way, it seems clear that Shelton was pre-empting the activist work being conducted by Owen Lewis, reporter for The Athletic, who has repeatedly attempted to get other American stars to make negative comments about the United States under Trump’s second term.
Prior to Shelton’s message, the world’s fourth-ranked women’s tennis player, Amanda Anisimova, stuffed Lewis in a locker when he tried to goad her into some anti-American comments.
“I’ve been asking a lot of the American players just how it feels to play under the American flag right now. And I’m curious how you feel?” the reporter said.
“I was born in America. So, I’m always proud to represent my country,” she replied. “A lot of us are doing really well, and it’s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women’s side and men’s side. I feel like we’re all doing a great job representing ourselves.”
Game. Set. Match.
Some fans have suggested Lewis be banned from the event for appearing uninterested in tennis. He’s trying to get 15 seconds of fame (we’re not granting him 15 minutes) by dropping the guise of being a reporter and instead acting as a liberal activist.
Most tennis players have batted away the inane questions. The only one to fall for it thus far has been Coco Gauff. Gauff whined that being a black woman in America is difficult under the current administration.
“At this point, I feel a bit fatigued talking about it just because of the fact that it is hard also being a Black woman in this country and having to experience things, even online, and seeing marginalized communities being affected,” she said.
Shelton’s performance continues his strong showing at the Australian Open, where he has built a reputation for powerful serving and frenzied, high-octane play.
The victory positions him well for a deep run in the year’s first major, as American players—including Taylor Fritz and others—have also advanced while navigating off-court questions about national representation.