It is not that often that Novak Djokovic copies a celebration from another a player, but he liked Ben Shelton’s celebration so much that he mimicked it after his US Open semi-final win over the youngster.
Djokovic came away with an emphatic victory over rising star Shelton as he won 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) to move into a record-equalling 10th US Open final where he will face Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.
After the chair umpire called “game, set and match Djokovic”, the 23-time Grand Slam winner celebrated by lifting an imaginary phone and then slamming it down – something which the American had done throughout the tournament.
At first it was suggested that the tennis great was mocking the 20-year-old, but that wasn’t the case.
“I just love Ben’s celebration. I thought it was very original and I copied him. I stole his celebration,” he joked during the post-match press conference.
us when they call about our car’s extended warranty.
pic.twitter.com/M39UlKWfxu
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
Djokovic blitzed Shelton in the opening two sets with a break in game six of the first set and game seven of the second set to go two sets to love up.
But he then lost his way a bit in the third set, although he was always ahead. After breaking in the opening game, Shelton pegged him back in game eight.
Shelton then had a set point in game 10, but Djokovic held firm before they traded another couple of breaks with the American saving a match point in game 12. The 36-year-old then edged the tie-breaker.
Asked about experiencing a lull in the third set, Djokovic replied: “I wish it hasn’t happened. But again, important thing is to bounce back and to try to recuperate after that. Whatever you want to call it. A little black hole that you find yourself in for a few games where you’re not really yourself.
“You’re missing shots that you shouldn’t or you’re not double faulting. It’s tension. There is no secret about it. We all feel it. Everyone feels tight in some moments of the match, particularly if it’s a big match like this. And sometimes you manage to overcome it, sometimes you don’t.
“That’s okay as long as you reset quickly and come back to the optimal level, which I think I’ve done. Again, I had the two drops that I don’t like at four three and six.
“Serving for the match again. But it was the crowd, it was his tennis, it was maybe my drop of level. It was a combination of things that were happening. And it’s normal we all experience this kind of little setbacks on the court, but as I said, important is to kind of move that away as something that already has happened and focus on the next point.”
READ MORE: Ben Shelton responds to Novak Djokovic mimicking his celebration
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