The game between Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton, described as a battle of generations, attracted huge interest as the American youngster faced Djokovic, 16 years his senior. Djokovic, having won the match with comfortable ease, imitated the American’s phone call celebration on court, sparking a storm amongst tennis fans. While some applauded the Serb on showing his ruthless streak, others deemed it unnecessary, eve going so far as to say Djokovic is not as classy as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Shelton had taken the tournament by storm reaching his first ever Grand Slam semi-final in process. The American did an iconic celebration after each match imitating a phone call after beating his opponent. Djokovic did the same celebration after defeating Shelton and that received a mixed reaction from the crowd. Some fans’ thought it was in bad taste to mock a 20 year old while others thought Shelton deserved it for his demeanor.
Novak Djokovic imitates Ben Shelton
Novak Djokovic was leading by two sets to nil and looked set to cruise to another straight sets victory before Ben Shilton hit an astounding forehand winner to the crowd’s delight. The American cuffed his hand to his ears asking the crowd for more noise as he broke Djokovic’s serve for the first time.
Djokovic, who relishes crowds against him, broke back straight away before defeating the American in a tie-break. The Serbian imitated Shelton’s celebration right in front of him before greeting the American at the net in what was a cold handshake.
Ben Shelton’s reaction after beating Frances Tiafoe to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open.
He picks up the phone & hangs it up. 📞
Coldblooded. 🇺🇸 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XGf59Lne2k
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
Djokovic imitating Shelton’s celebration got a mixed reaction from fans on social media. Tennis superstar, Nick Kyrgios, thought it was a cold response from the Serbian and Shelton deserved it for his antics. A lot of fans’ on social media agreed with him.
Novak Djokovic hangs up the phone on Ben Shelton after beating him at the US Open. 📞🥶 pic.twitter.com/aTnjVFDWHY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 8, 2023
COLD ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ https://t.co/IeWH6GtAFj
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 9, 2023
The funniest thing about Ben’s original cellebration with the phone is he’s too young to have ever seen a phone that closes that way. At least Djokovic probably has.
I bet the whole tour copies it now.
— Joe Devon (@joedevon) September 9, 2023
Please tell this people why this is good for tennis.
Well, don’t tell them… we know 😉🥶👑
— Santos Rivera-Cardona (@SantosCardonaPR) September 9, 2023
Let’s be honest,that was funny to dunk on young blood,I don’t think he hates the guy but you can afford some humor as 23 time GS winner
— PK (@Pashak1436) September 9, 2023
Hahah we knew Kyrgios was going to like that !
— cryptoken board (@cryptoken_board) September 9, 2023
Cold blooded novak
— Tennis Tips (@TennisTips20) September 9, 2023
While some people agreed with Kyrgios’s sentiments, other though it was too disrespectful towards a young man like Shelton. A few tennis fans’ compared Djokovic’s antics to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both known for their class on and off court.
Novak just demonstrated that he’s not in the same ‘class’ as Federer and Nadal, when it comes to being a respectful player on the court. He really didn’t need to do this and rub it in such a way in the face of a younger player.
— LisaJPG 😷 (@LJPG_23) September 9, 2023
🥶 Cold blooded 🤯 Love Novak Djokovic, but Novak didn’t have to do Ben Shelton like that 🥹🙈 Ben will be back, hanging that phone again 📞☎️ The Champion mindset is there for Ben. He knows what he wants in the Tennis world. If he keeps up this level and gets even better than…
— Shamiso Ashley Makari (@ShamiAshley) September 9, 2023
Cold or pathetic Nick?
Is mocking a young player really befitting of a champion?
— Liam Freeman (@LiquidatorPod) September 9, 2023
This isn’t cold. It’s pathetic
He’s mocking a 20 year old kid. A 36 year old player should know better and show some professionalism
I’m not surprised someone like you thinks this is good for the sport though 🙄🙄🙄
— Bruno Fernandes enjoyer (@Nadal_istheGOAT) September 9, 2023
Reason why no one really likes him and is never on his side…but then who cares right… At 36, mocking a kid ..way to go #Goat @DjokerNole … Mark my words, the kid will go on to beat him – hopefully it pumps #Benshelton to greater heights. @usopen #Djokovic
— Darkhorseadi (@AdityaVikhram) September 9, 2023
Classless as always
— Gareth McVeigh 🏆🏆🏆 (@BangorRed1981) September 9, 2023
Novak Djokovic was asked about the same at his post match conference and the Serbian said it was just a celebration. The world number 1 said that he did not mean to offend anyone.
Novak Djokovic addresses the celebration controversy
Speaking to the media after his semi-final victory, the Serbian was asked about his celebration and what caused him to imitate Shelton after beating him. Djokovic was quick to play down any menace in the celebrations and praised Shelton for the tournament that he had. The Serbian further said that he loved Shelton’s celebration and decided to copy it.
“I just love Ben’s celebration (smiling). I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I stole his celebration (smiling).”
Novak Djokovic has cruised to another final and is one step closer to win a record 24th Grand Slam title. The Serbian will face world number 3, Daniil Medvedev, in the showpiece event at the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the US Open title.
