American tennis player Ben Shelton faced off against Novak Djokovic in an intense match at the US Open, where Djokovic secured his place in the final. What caught the attention of fans and tennis enthusiasts, however, was Djokovic’s unique celebration at the end of the match. Shelton, the 20-year-old challenger, shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s celebration, and his response was both gracious and humorous.
Djokovic’s Experience Prevails
Despite his young age and spirited performance, Ben Shelton couldn’t outmatch the experience and skill of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis legend reached his 10th US Open final by defeating the American challenger. Djokovic’s mastery on the court was evident throughout the match.
In a lighthearted moment after sealing the victory, Novak Djokovic added a touch of humor to his celebration. On match point, he forced Shelton into a forehand error and, in a not-so-subtle jest, imitated hanging up a telephone while walking towards the net. This playful gesture was aimed at Shelton’s own unique celebration routine.
Ben Shelton, known for his energetic celebrations, had captured the attention of tennis fans in the past few weeks. His signature move involved flexing his biceps and pretending his hand was an old-style telephone handset, which he playfully slammed down. This celebration routine was borrowed from Grant Holloway, a former Florida track and field athlete and world champion hurdler.
A Humorous Response
Ben Shelton, in a post-match interview, revealed that he had not seen Djokovic’s playful imitation until after the match. However, he displayed a good-natured attitude about it and made it clear that he wouldn’t dictate how another player should celebrate. He emphasized that winning a match earned the right to celebrate in any way a player saw fit.
With a smile, Shelton shared his perspective on Djokovic’s imitation celebration, stating, “I don’t like when I’m on social media and I see people telling me how I can celebrate or can’t celebrate. I think 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, so that’s all I have to say about that.”
In a sport known for its fierce competition, this exchange between Djokovic and Shelton highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that exists among players, even in the heat of a high-stakes tournament like the US Open.
