Ben Shelton wants to move on from the Novak Djokovic saga after the tennis legend copied his ‘phone down’ celebration. The American achieved the best result of his burgeoning career when he contested his very first Grand Slam semi-final at the 2023 US Open against the World No. 1.
The 21-year-old gave everything but ultimately suffered a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) defeat as the Serbian went on to become a 24-time major winner. But Djokovic’s actions at the end of the match raised eyebrows as he imitated Shelton’s celebration that went viral earlier in the tournament.
The 36-year-old originally said he “loved” the celebration and thought it was “very original”, but during an interview with French news outlet L’Equipe before his Australian Open title defence, his opinion had changed, and not for the better. The 10-time champion at Melbourne Park said he performed the celebration in front of Shelton after he did not “behave properly, with respect, on the court, and before the match”.
After commencing his Australian Open campaign with a win over Spain’s Roberto Bautista-Agut, Shelton was asked about Djokovic’s comments and he did not want to dwell on the matter any longer. “I don’t really have anything else to say on the whole US Open situation,” the youngster said in his post-match press conference.
“I feel like I’ve been asked about it constantly in the last four or five months. I feel like I’ve said my piece on the matter. I would rather just let it settle and move forward. We’re in Australia now, and we’re at the Australian Open and not the US Open anymore.
“I’m just focusing on the Australian Open and happy and grateful to be here. I feel like I enjoy myself out on the tennis court. Everyone can have their opinion on who I am or how I act. But, yeah, I don’t know. I don’t have an answer to your question.”
The No. 16 seed produced another thrilling attacking display on court 2 to defeat the valiant Bautista-Agut in straight sets. Shelton smashed 53 winners and committed 40 unforced errors in a 6-2, 7-6 (2), 7-5 win, as he converted his lone break point of the third set to end the contest.
He sealed victory in two hours and 46 minutes and will face Australian Christopher O’Connell in round two at Melbourne Park. “He [Bautista-Agut] doesn’t give you much or show much out there. That was pretty interesting to see,” Shelton said. “I think he did a great job trying to not give me what I wanted with the forehand, and I was trying to do the same to him.
“So, yeah, it was a good battle.” He is on a collision course with Djokovic in the fourth round, who came through his longest first-round match at a Grand Slam since 2005 after beating teenager Dino Prižmić in four sets. He will play Alexei Popyrin, another home favourite, in round two.
