Safe to say Novak Djokovic had enough of Ben Shelton's today... Imitated his post match point celebration... Ben saw and didn't like. Cold handshake.
"Cartoonishly uncalled for": Djokovic slammed for imitating Shelton's phone gesture at US Open
Tennis NewsSaturday, 09 September 2023 at 18:00
Novak Djokovic has been slammed for imitating Ben Shelton's phone gesture after defeating the young American at the US Open.
23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic faced rising talent Shelton for the first time in the semi-finals of the New York major. Both players had looked solid throughout the tournament, with Shelton taking surprise wins over fourteenth seed Tommy Paul and tenth seed Frances Tiafoe.
After he defeated Tiafoe in the quarter-finals, Shelton celebrated with the gesture of picking up a receiver phone before hanging up. The 20-year-old explained the move in his post-match press conference, saying it showed he was 'dialled in.'
Djokovic throws move back at Shelton
However, Djokovic dominated their semi-final clash, defeating the unseeded player 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4). After he had secured a place in what will be his tenth final at Flushing Meadows, the 36-year-old imitated Shelton's phone gesture in front of the American's home crowd.
Tennis journalist José Morgado shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, noticing that Shelton didn't seem to take too kindly to the imitation.
"Safe to say Novak Djokovic had enough of Ben Shelton's today... Imitated his post match point celebration... Ben saw and didn't like. Cold handshake."
Fans say imitation was unnecessary
Tennis fans have reflected this 'cold' sentiment, with many claiming that the imitation was simply unnecessary.
"Imo, completely unnecessary celebration from 36-year-old Novak Djokovic after beating a 20-year-old Ben Shelton, who was playing the biggest match of his carreer in front of his home crowd and was *never* disrespectful towards him," wrote one.
"Novak's "hang-up" thing at the end was a little cartoonishly uncalled for, right? It was a straight set win that was never in doubt," added another.
Meanwhile, Shelton himself was asked about the imitation in his post-match press conference.
"I only saw it after the match. I don't like it when people on social media tell me how I can or can't celebrate.
When you win the game, you deserve to do whatever you want. As a child I always learned that imitation is the most sincere form of appreciation. That's all I'll say about it!" he said.
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