The accusation by Bryan Shelton, Ben Shelton’s father and coach, on Novak Djokovic’s mocking celebration during the US Open semi-finals has sparked considerable debate. Gina Bontempo, a fitness coach followed by over 140,000 people on social media, severely criticized Ben Shelton. Christopher Eubanks, the 32nd-ranked American, a close friend of the Shelton family, stepped in to set the record straight.
In her lengthy tweet, Gina Bontempo started by asserting, “Shelton has become the perfect representation of the kind of American youth who are so coddled and spoiled by their parents that they always manage to turn themselves into the victim”.
Shelton has become the perfect representation of the kind of American youth that are so coddled and spoiled by their parents that they always manage to turn themselves into the victim, particularly in situations that are slightly unfavorable to them.
Notice how his father… https://t.co/WUvGWGRWvo
— Gina Bontempo (@FlorioGina) September 15, 2023
Christopher Eubanks recently used his social media account to address baseless claims made by influencer Gina Bontempo following Ben Shelton’s 2023 US Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic.
Usually I wouldn’t respond but this tweet has so many falsehoods, I’m surprised Twitter didn’t flag it. Absolutely ridiculous 🤡🤡🤡
— Christopher Eubanks (@chris_eubanks96) September 16, 2023
As per him, Gina Bontempo allegedly leveled a string of false accusations against Ben Shelton and his father, Bryan’s comments regarding Djokovic’s response to the young player, mocking his phone-hanging gesture after defeating the 20-year-old in the US Open semi-finals.
Christopher Eubanks stated, “Usually, I don’t respond, but this tweet contains so many falsehoods that I’m surprised Twitter hasn’t flagged it. Absolutely ridiculous“. He also declared Gina Bontempo’s claim to be preposterous that Ben Shelton was spoiled by his parents. He said that it is absolutely laughable to anyone who knows them.
Christopher Eubanks debunks the false claims about Ben Shelton and his father
Christopher Eubanks didn’t stop at addressing Gina Bontempo’s initial claims; he went on to debunk several other assertions she made. He strongly disagreed with Bontempo’s idea that Ben Shelton wasn’t ready to compete against top players. To challenge this notion, he highlighted key achievements from the American prodigy’s 2023 season.
“Funniest thing…that maybe they’re ‘not ready to compete with the big dogs yet.’ The kid has been a pro for just over a year and has made a GS Quarterfinal, a GS Semifinal, and is Top 20 in the world. Yeah, Gina, definitely not ready,” he added.
Actually the funniest thing about this BS is the idea that maybe they’re “not ready to compete with the big dogs yet” The kid has been a pro just over a year and has made a GS Quarterfinal, a GS Semifinal, and is Top 20 in the world. Yeah Gina, definitely not ready 😂😂 (4/5)
— Christopher Eubanks (@chris_eubanks96) September 16, 2023
Eubanks didn’t shy away from confronting the assertion that Ben Shelton had engaged in “trash talk” against Novak Djokovic during their match. He emphasized that having a conversation with his player’s box doesn’t constitute trash talk. “To say that Ben ‘trash-talked Novak in ways the camera didn’t even capture’ makes me laugh…Trash talk is usually directed at the opponent where they can hear it, FYI,” he wrote.
To say that Ben “trash talked Novak in ways the camera didn’t even capture” makes me laugh because clearly you don’t know what trash talk is. Trash talk is usually directed at the opponent where they can hear it FYI (2/5)
— Christopher Eubanks (@chris_eubanks96) September 16, 2023
Finally, Eubanks went on to offer strong support to Ben Shelton’s father, Bryan, who had voiced his dissatisfaction with Djokovic imitating his son’s distinctive celebration. He made it clear that labeling Bryan’s response to the celebration as a “tirade” was an exaggeration, particularly because it was in direct response to a question.
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