Novak Djokovic imitates Ben Shelton’s phone celebration after straight-sets semi-final win at US Open

Novak Djokovic has brutally mocked his 20-year-old opponent before a seriously awkward handshake following his US Open demolition job.

Novak Djokovic has brutally taken down Ben Shelton after his straight-sets victory in the semi-final of the US Open, mocking the 20-year-old American’s iconic “phone” celebration.

Shelton’s signature celebration, which he has said he’s used to indicate he’s “dialled in”, evidently irked the usually composed Djokovic, who mimed a phone being put down after the 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 win.

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Commentators on ESPN noted the pair were less than friendly in the ensuing handshake as well.

“Hang up the phone folks, that was it,” an ESPN commentator said.

“Wasn’t the warmest handshake that you’d normally see from Djokovic, he normally gives you a pat on the back or even a semi-hug, pats your belly or something.

“I’m not sure what it was, maybe he didn’t want to give anything to the 20-year-old, he knows he might have to face him a few more times.”

As if we needed another reason to call Novak Djokovic a legend. #USOpenpic.twitter.com/wZ8nLcaPSF

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) September 8, 2023

THIS LEAGUE! THIS LEAGUE! THIS LEAGUE! pic.twitter.com/M39UlKWfxu

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023

The win earns Djokovic another shot at a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title after beating unseeded American to advance to his 10th US Open final.

It sets up a potential repeat of his Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz, who faces Daniil Medvedev in the other semi-final.

“Another Grand Slam final. I can’t be happier with where I am,” Djokovic said, who will return to number one in the world after the US Open.

“I expect the toughest match of the tournament for me, regardless of who’s going to be across the net.”

Novak was sick of Shelton’s antics. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Ben Shelton's signature phone celebration. Photo: ESPN

The tennis world lit up in response to Djokovic’s brutal celebration.

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado was taken aback by it.

“Safe to say Novak Djokovic had enough of Ben Shelton‘s today,” Morgado wrote on Twitter.

“Imitated his post match point celebration …

“Ben saw and didn‘t like. Cold handshake.”

Fellow journalist Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca, however, found it explicitly disrespectful.

Ben Shelton on Novak Djokovic doing his phone celebration at US Open:

“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… pic.twitter.com/Xj8dDpocvH

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 8, 2023

“Completely unnecessary celebration from 36-year-old Novak Djokovic after beating a 20-year-old Ben Shelton, who was playing the biggest match of his career in front of his home crowd and was never disrespectful towards him,” Lanca wrote.

Djokovic is attempting to become the oldest men’s champion in New York in the Open era, which would also see him match Australian Margaret Court’s all-time mark for most major singles titles.

The Serbian has now won 22 of his last 23 Grand Slam semi-finals. He captured the last of his three US Open titles in 2018.

Djokovic has reached the final at all four majors in the same year for the third time.

The post-match handshake was less than warm. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

He will try to claim three Grand Slams in the same season for the fourth time in his career.

Facing Shelton for the first time, with the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium closed due to the threat of rain, Djokovic landed the first blow by breaking for a 4-2 lead in the opening set.

Shelton showed tremendous grit to save four set points on his serve at 2-5, carving out a point to break back the next game only for Djokovic to see out the set at the fifth time of asking.

The world number 47 pushed a forehand wide to present Djokovic with two break points at 2-2 in the second set, coughing up an untimely double fault to again gift his rival the upper hand.

Djokovic pressed home his advantage with a second break and surged two sets clear after Shelton buried a backhand return into the net.

A passing forehand winner gave Djokovic another break to open the third set, but Shelton put up a late act of defiance to break back for 4-all and even conjured a set point in the 10th game.

Djokovic produced a clutch serve out wide on the way to a battling hold, punishing Shelton for a sloppy ensuing game but then stumbling himself with the finish in sight.

Shelton saved a match point to break and send the set to a tie-break before Djokovic hauled himself over the line and into a 36th Grand Slam final.

– with AFP