Novak Djokovic Mimics Ben Shelton’s Celebration After Beating Him in U.S. Open Semis

The Serbian legend was cold-blooded in victory.
Novak Djokovic Mimics Ben Shelton’s Celebration After Beating Him in U.S. Open Semis
Novak Djokovic Mimics Ben Shelton’s Celebration After Beating Him in U.S. Open Semis /

One of the biggest winners of this year’s U.S. Open has undeniably been the United States’ Ben Shelton. Riding a mesmerizing serve that twice peaked at 149 miles per hour, Shelton surpassed his quarterfinal run at the Australian Open earlier this year to reach the semifinals at the age of 20.

However, Shelton’s tournament ended in abrupt fashion Friday afternoon, as Serbia’s Novak Djokovic dispatched him in the semis, winning 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4).

After finishing Shelton off, Djokovic mimed hanging up a phone, referencing the celebration Shelton memorably deployed after beating countryman Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 in the quarterfinals. 

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When asked to describe the celebration, Shelton told reporters it was "kind of like I'm saying I'm dialed in" following his win over Tiafoe.

The victorious Djokovic, seeking his 24th career major championship, will meet either Spain's Carlos Alcaraz or Russian Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's final.


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .