Australian Open 2024 news: Novak Djokovic-Ben Shelton feud on track to explode in fourth round

American sensation Ben Shelton is on an Australian Open collision with world No.1 Novak Djokovic - the man who labelled him disrespectful after mocking the 21-year-old at the US Open.

American sensation Ben Shelton remains on track for an Australian Open grudge match against champion Novak Djokovic after his first-round triumph on Monday.

Shelton, 21, riled Djokovic in the US Open semi-final last year with his trademark phone celebration which prompted Djokovic to copy the gesture including a “hanging up” motion after the three-set win.

Djokovic, 36, recently lifted the lid on the tension between the pair, labelling Shelton’s celebration “unsportsmanlike” and lacking respect.

But Shelton, who is well known for his energetic expressions and flamboyance on court, has explained that his phone gesture signalled that he was “dialled in”.

The tennis world will watch closely to see if the pair collide in the fourth-round at Melbourne Park after 16th-seed Shelton overcame some tense moments to dispatch tough Spaniard Roberto Bautista-Agut in three sets on court three.

Shelton, who catapulted up the rankings last year which included a quarterfinal appearance in Melbourne, said on Monday he just tried to be himself on the court and didn’t want to add more fuel to the Djokovic fire.

“I feel like I have been asked about it constantly over the last four or five months,” Shelton said.

Ben Shelton is refusing to bite ahead of his potential showdown with Djokovic. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

“I feel like I have said my peace on the matter and I would rather let it settle and move forward.

“I’m just focusing on the Australian Open and I’m happy and grateful to be here.

“I feel like I enjoy myself out on the tennis court. Everyone can have an opinion on who I am and how I act.”

The pivotal moments for Shelton on Monday came in the second-set tiebreak when the big-serving Atlanta product, who is one of the fastest-rising talents on tour, powered down an ace down the middle at 4-1 to street ahead against Bautista-Agut.

He won 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 in warm conditions and will tackle Australian Chris O’Connell in his next match.

Shelton said he knows what’s coming from the crowd.

“Chris is a great guy. Anytime you play an Aussie in Melbourne you know you are in for a rowdy match-up,” he said.

Djokovic mocks Shelton’s celebration. Picture: Mike Stobe/Getty Images

“The crowd is not going to be on my side. I’m used to that.

“I don’t mind it. It makes tennis a lot of fun.

“I still enjoy those types of (games where) there is) a little more hostile (reaction).”

Victories in the next two games could see more fireworks between Shelton and Djokovic in a prime-time centre court showdown with the pair’s tussle last year certain to be a major talking point in the lead-up.

The Serb is aiming for an incredible 11th Australian Open title this year and has not lost a match in Melbourne since 2018.

Djokovic, who was tested at times in his four-set first-round win over Croatian youngster Dino Prizmic on Sunday night, said in a recent interview with French newspaper L’Equipe that Shelton’s phone celebration last year was in poor taste.

“It was a reaction against him, he did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match,” Djokovic said about the phone celebration.

“If anyone places himself in the unsportsmanlike zone, I react.”

Shelton said nothing happened before the match-up last year against Djokovic.

Originally published as Australian Open 2024 news: Novak Djokovic-Ben Shelton feud on track to explode in fourth round