Novak Djokovic reveals reason he copied Ben Shelton celebration at US Open - 'He did not behave with respect'
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Published 14/01/2024 at 05:24 GMT
Novak Djokovic raised some eyebrows at the 2023 US Open after copying Ben Shelton's phone hang-up celebration following his win over the American. Djokovic said at the time that he “loved” the celebration and thought it was “very original”. But the world No. 1 has now revealed there was more to it and has said Shelton did not "behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match".
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Novak Djokovic says he mimicked Ben Shelton’s celebration at last year’s US Open as the American did not “behave with respect”.
Djokovic beat Shelton in straight sets on his way to a 24th Grand Slam title. After clinching the win, he copied Shelton’s trademark celebration of pretending to hang up a phone on his opponent.
At the time, Djokovic said he did it as he “loved” the celebration and thought it was “very original”.
But ahead of starting his bid for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title, which could see him facing Shelton in the last 16, he has revealed there was more to it.
“This is my reaction to a provocation that came from the other side, it was a reaction against him,” Djokovic told L’Equipe ahead of his Australian Open defence.
“He did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match.
“I’m never going to make fun of someone if they don’t do something first. Every time I lose I always give my opponent a hug, I congratulate him, I respect him and his team.
“If anyone one places himself in the ‘unsportsmanlike zone’, I react.”
Shelton said after the match that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” with regards to the celebration.
Djokovic plays his first-round Australian Open match on Sunday against 18-year-old Dino Prizmic, while 16th seed Shelton faces Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday.
Djokovic has said that he has been “pain-free” in practice ahead of the Australian Open, having had a wrist issue earlier this month at the United Cup.
“My wrist is good," he said. "I had time from the last match against [Alex] De Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover.
“I’ve been training well. Practice sessions pain-free so far. It’s all looking good. Let’s see how it goes.
“It’s not as bad as some other injuries I had here – 2021 and last year I had worse injuries that I had to deal with.
“I can’t predict whether it’s going to come back. Once I start playing more matches, stress levels go higher. I don’t know. We have to find out.”
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Djokovic also joked that the biggest threat to him winning again in Melbourne is himself.
"Myself always first and then, of course, all the other best players in the world," he said.
"Any player is here with, I'm sure, an intention to achieve the dream of winning a Slam.
"Some players are obviously expected to go further than some others. It's 128 draw, a Grand Slam. We know what they represent for our sport. It's where every player wants to play their best tennis. It's exciting to be a part of another Slam."
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