By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, September 8, 2023
NEW YORK—Novak Djokovic dialed up post-match mockery immediately.
Moments after dismissing Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) to succeed in his record-tying tenth US Open remaining, Djokovic emphatically hung up on Shelton mimicking the 20-year-old American’s trademark celebration of hanging up a telephone on opponents.
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The sarcastic Djokovic gesture instantly went viral although Shelton himself stated he did not see it till after he was off court docket.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion stated it was all in good enjoyable and a tribute to Shelton’s celebration.
“And I simply love Ben’s celebration,” Djokovic stated. “I assumed it was very authentic, and I copied him. I stole his celebration.”
Shelton smiled off Djokovic’s jab in his post-match presser saying “imitation is the sincerest type of flattery.”
“I did not see it till after the match,” Shelton stated. “You recognize, I do not like once I’m on social media and I see folks telling me how I can have fun or cannot have fun. You recognize, I feel for those who win the match, you should do no matter you need.
“You recognize, as a child rising up, I all the time realized that imitation is the sincerest type of flattery, in order that’s all I’ve to say about that.”
us once they name about our automotive’s prolonged guarantee.
pic.twitter.com/M39UlKWfxu— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
Novak Djokovic hangs up the telephone on Ben. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/AvMD9kPY2N
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
COLD ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️ https://t.co/IeWH6GtAFj
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) September 9, 2023
Contesting simply the fifth Grand Slam event of his life, Shelton held a set level at 5-4 within the third set, however couldn’t shut. Shelton stated he appears ahead to a rematch with the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
“I realized that he is a man who can compete on the highest stage, has, you already know, the same mentality to me on the court docket with how he desires to come back after you and be aggressive and present his emotion,” Shelton stated. “I feel it was actually cool to see that matchup for the primary time. Trying ahead to hopefully getting it once more.”
Picture credit score: Mike Stobe/Getty