(VIDEO) "I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery": Shelton not offended by Djokovic mocking his celebration

Ben Shelton lost out in the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open with a 3-6, 2-6, 6-7 loss to Novak Djokovic who post-match decided to mock the phone celebration adopted by the American.

In a statement celebration, Djokovic put the phone down on Shelton as he was walking to the net. But Shelton wasn't left offended by it.

Even he admitted that he didn't see it until he went onto social media after the match and that for him, he believes that if you win the match you can celebrate however you want.

So when put to him in the press conference, it didn't stir up any sort of issues between the pair as the 20-year-old ends a landmark tournament with a semi-final loss to the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

“I didn’t see it until after the match. I don’t like when I’m on social media and I see people telling me how I can or can’t celebrate. If you win the match you deserve to do whatever you want. As a kid growing up, I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," said Shelton.