Novak Djokovic ended the call — and Ben Shelton’s run in the U.S. Open.
The No. 2 seed in the Flushing Grand Slam not only defeated the 20-year-old American in three straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the semifinals, but Djokovic even mocked Shelton with his clinching celebration.
During his wins at the U.S. Open, Shelton has pretended to answer a phone call with his hand before slamming it down as if he’d hung up on a call.
Shelton most notably did it after his stunning four-set win over No. 10 seed Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinals earlier in the week.
Well, after Djokovic topped Shelton in a third-set tiebreak on Friday afternoon, he started walking to the net and pulled off the same gesture, literally and figuratively ending Shelton’s miraculous tournament run.
“Djokovic … mocking Shelton’s celebration from the other day — hanging up the phone,” ESPN play-by-play man Chris Fowler said during the semifinal broadcast.
Even with the mock celebration, the two shook hands at the net after the match.
After the match Djokovic told reporters about why he used the phone celebration.
“I just love Ben’s celebration,” he said. “I thought he was very original and I copied him. I stole his celebration.
Shelton, for his part, said he did not mind Djokovic’s theatrics.
“I don’t like when I’m on social media, and I see people telling me how I can celebrate or can’t celebrate,” Shelton said after the semis. “If you win the match, you deserve to do whatever you want.
“As a kid, I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
semifinal match. Jason Szenes/NY Post
Djokovic will now play in his 10th U.S. Open final, tying a record, against either Carlos Alcarez or Daniil Medvedev.
“Look these are the kind of matches and occasions that I still thrive on that still get me going and inspire me to wake up every morning working as hard as the young guys,” Djokovic told ESPN after the win. “Grand Slams are the occasions that motivate me the most to play my best tennis.
“Discipline is everything. I think it’s a combination of discipline, willpower and clarity of what your short term and long term goals are. I’ve played this sport a long time, but I think I still have more in my legs, more to give to the sport. Another Grand Slam final, I cannot be happier.”