"Hell yeah, are you kidding me?' - Team World teammates plan on bringing back Shelton's controversial phone celebration at Laver Cup
ATP
Although it was a talking point at the 2023 US Open, the famous phone celebration used by Ben Shelton will be revived at this year's Laver Cup in Vancouver.
The 20 year-old mimicked using a phone and hanging it up during his wins over Frances Tiafoe and Aslan Karatsev in New York. Novak Djokovic would imitate the gesture after defeating Shelton at the semifinal stage in Flushing Meadows, leading many, including Shelton's dad, to speculate the Serbian was mocking his son.
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Team World aiming to recreate celebration at this weekend's Laver Cup
With Team World set to battle Team Europe in another thrilling edition of the Laver Cup, several Team World members have revealed they would be using that celebration if the opportunity presented itself.
“For sure. The first 140 that comes up, I’m jumping up like this,” said Christopher Eubanks, an alternate on Team World.
“Hell yeah, are you kidding me?” said Tommy Paul, who will be representing Team World. “But it’s gonna hurt if one of these guys clinches a match on my head and goes,” he added, gesturing the hanging up while also stomping on the floor. “We can’t let that happen.”
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Shelton received some flak for the celebration during the US Open as some believed that it meant victory was calling and that it was disrespectful to his opponents. However, the Atlanta native explained the origin of the gesture after the quarter-final, revealing that it was a way to pay tribute to his friends from Florida.
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mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
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mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026









