Shelton on Djokovic’s phone celebration : “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”

There was no love lost in the aftermath of Friday’s US Open quarter-final match between Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton.

Ben Shelton at the 2023 US Open (Chryslene Caillaud/Panoramic)

Ricky Dimon

September 9, 2023

US Open •Semi-final • completed

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B. SheltonvsN. Djokovic

Following his 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over Ben Shelton in the US Open semi-finals on Friday afternoon, Djokovic mocked Shelton’s trademark “dialed in” telephone celebration.

It’s a celebration that Shelton used throughout the tournament on the way to his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance — not directed at any opponent. Djokovic, however, clearly meant it as taunting gesture toward his 20-year-old opponent. The result was an icy handshake at the net.

Novak Djokovic hangs up the phone on Ben Shelton after beating him at the US Open. 📞🥶 pic.twitter.com/aTnjVFDWHY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 8, 2023

If you win the match, you deserve to do whatever you want.
Ben Shelton

As expected, both players were asked about the post-match shenanigans in their respective press conferences. Although Shelton clearly didn’t like it, the world No 47 took the high road while speaking with the media — saying that it was fair game for Djokovic to do what he did. And Shelton also took it as a compliment.

“I don’t like when I’m on social media and I see people telling me how I can celebrate or can’t celebrate,” Shelton commented. “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.”

Djokovic was in no mood to give a serious reply and make a bigger story out of it.

“I just love Ben’s celebration,” the three-time US Open champion joked. “I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I stole his celebration.”