"It was funny to me when Novak did it to": Ana Ivanovic quips on Novak Djokovic copying Ben Shelton's phone celebration controversially at US Open
Tennis NewsFriday, 24 November 2023 at 02:30
Ana
Ivanovic commented on Novak Djokovic's celebration imitating Ben Shelton at the
2023 US Open.
World No. 1
had one of the best seasons of his career, securing seven titles, including
trophies at 3 Grand Slam events and the ATP Finals. In Flushing Meadows,
Djokovic had an impeccable campaign, winning six of his seven matches in
straight sets, with the only exception being the third-round duel against Laslo
Djere (32nd seed), where he was down 2 sets but eventually turned the match in
his favor.
In the
tournament's semifinals, Djokovic faced the surprising Ben Shelton, who turned
heads by reaching the semifinals as an unseeded player, defeating top-seeded
players along the way, including Aslan Karatsev, Tommy Paul, or Frances Tiafoe.
Winning his matches, the young star caught attention with his celebration,
making a gesture like hanging up a phone call.
After
Djokovic defeated Shelton (6-3, 6-2, 7-6), the Serbian imitated Shelton's
celebration, which many interpreted as mocking his opponent. Regarding this,
former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic recently commented that Djokovic's gesture
seemed funny to her:
"Honestly,
everyone looks at it differently. Sometimes I don't have time to follow
everything that is happening (in tennis). Honestly, when Ben did it first, I
was like 'OK, that's some teenage, American, cute stuff', and it was funny to
me when Novak did it too.
I don't
know, opinions are divided," Ivanovic said.
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Following
the controversy at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic provided explanations in the
press conference before the final and explained the reason for imitating the
celebration. In addition, Shelton responded to the Serbian without attaching
too much importance to it:
“I just
love Ben's celebration. I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I
stole his celebration," Djokovic explained.
“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," Shelton said.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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