Novak Djokovic explains ‘stealing’ Ben Shelton’s celebration in US Open win
Novak Djokovic claimed he “stole” Ben Shelton’s post-match cellphone celebration as a result of it was “very original” after reaching his record-equalling tenth US Open last. “I just love Ben’s celebration,” he stated. The Serb noticed off late resistance from the younger American to arrange a Sunday showdown with Daniil Medvedev. The No 3 seed shocked defending champion Carlos Alcaraz within the second semi-final.
Shelton had celebrated his quarter-final win over his fellow American Frances Tiafoe by pretending to take a name after which hanging up – a gesture to point out: “I’m dialed in.”
He defined the “Hang up the phone!” celebration was the “signature thing” of American sprinter and fellow former University of Florida pupil Grant Holloway.
But Djokovic had his quantity in Shelton’s first Grand Slam semi-final to win 6-3 6-2 7-6 – after which mocked Shelton by mimicking the cellphone gesture with none emotion. A chilly handshake adopted on the internet.
But in his post-match press convention, Djokovic smiled and stated: “I just love Ben’s celebration. I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I stole his celebration.”
Djokovic is rarely removed from controversy and missed final yr’s US Open after refusing to take a COVID-19 vaccine. He was disqualified right here in 2020 for hitting a line decide with a ball.
Shelton, the final American man to exit the lads’s singles, responded rigorously when requested in regards to the Djokovic celebration. “I didn’t see it until after the match,” he claimed. “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.” Medvedev is hardly a favorite of the New York crowd and the locals will face a troublesome selection over who to help on Sunday night time after the elimination of Alcaraz.
There will probably be no repeat of the Wimbledon last however as an alternative a re-staging of the 2021 last gained right here by the Russian. With Aryna Sabalenka within the ladies’s on Saturday, the 2 singles titles might be gained by a Belarusian and a Russian through the warfare in Ukraine.
Djokovic equalled the file set in 1929 by American Bill Tilden of reaching 10 US Open finals – and can bid to equal Margaret Court’s file of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. The Australian and French Open champion, who reached the ultimate of all 4 Grand Slams this yr, additionally has the possibility to turn out to be the oldest winner of the US Open on the age of 36.
“The fact is that at 36, every Grand Slam final, I don’t know, could be the last one,” stated the Serb. “So I think that I probably value these occasions and opportunities to win another Slam as more than I have maybe 10 years ago, because 10 years ago I felt like: ‘Hey, I still have quite a few years ahead of me’.
“I don’t know how many I have ahead of me now, or I don’t know how many years I will play four Slams in the whole season that I have in front of me. So of course I am aware of the occasion. But I try to approach Sunday’s match as basically any other match with the intention to win, and I’ll play my opponent.
“Knowing that it’s going to be the toughest challenge, without a doubt, not just because it’s a final but also because the last time I faced him in a Grand Slam final I lost here in ’21 US Open final.”