Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic on Friday played down the Serb’s celebrations after his U.S. Open semi-final win, with gestures echoing those of the American as he advanced past the quarter-finals The same gesture (hanging up the phone).
Djokovic (2) beat Shelton (47) 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in 2 hours and 40 minutes and will play Russia’s Daniel Meder this Sunday Vedev (3), who defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz (1) in this tournament.
Djokovic and Serena Williams are two of the greatest tennis players of the Open era, with 23 titles between themBut the player from Belgrade hopes to win at the US Open and catch Margaret Court, who holds the absolute record of 24 strokes.
However, as well as this afternoon’s victory, the Balkans left a striking image as he celebrated his victory with a hang-up gesture, which mimicked Shelton’s celebration of his passing into the semi-finals when he won the game. The same gesture used in the final. Quarterfinal against Frances Tiafoe (10).
Although the move caused a stir on social media, Shelton downplayed the incident.
“I didn’t see it (the celebration) until after the game. I don’t like seeing people on social media telling me how to celebrate or not to celebrate (a win). I think if you win a game you should do what you want Things to do,” he reflected.
“But you know, When I was a child, I was taught that (according to the English expression) “Imitation is the sincerest form of compliment”that’s all I have to say,” he added.
AFP
Djokovic, for his part, also didn’t want what happened to be mired in controversy.
“I just loved Ben’s celebration. I thought it was original, so I copied him. I stole his celebration,” she laughs.