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The world of tennis was abuzz after the recent US Open semi-final, not just because of Novak Djokovic's outstanding achievement in tying Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slams but also due to a post-match celebration that sparked controversy.
Ben Shelton, a promising talent in the tennis circuit, had developed a signature 'phone' celebration, which he had displayed after defeating Tiafoe in the quarterfinals. As an unexpected twist, Djokovic chose to replicate this signature move after his victorious semi-final against Shelton. The light-hearted gesture seemed to signify Djokovic's appreciation for the uniqueness of the celebration and was seen by many as a playful nod to the sport's competitive yet cordial spirit.
Explaining his actions in the post-match interview, Djokovic expressed admiration for Shelton's innovative celebration and admitted to borrowing it for his own moment of triumph. "I just love Ben's celebration. I thought it was very original. I copied him. I stole his celebration," the Serbian star remarked.
While Shelton himself viewed the imitation in a positive light, his father, Bryan Shelton, held a different perspective. Speaking with GQ, and later quoted by Yahoo, Bryan expressed his dismay at Djokovic's actions. He felt that Djokovic's intention wasn't solely to celebrate but also to mock his son. The elder Shelton commented, "He wants to be loved so much, Novak. He wanted to mock Ben at the end. It wasn't something he was doing just to copy Ben. It was to mock him. And that's too bad, for that to come from such a great champion."
Ben Shelton's take on the matter, however, was more magnanimous. He believes that winning a match gives the victor the right to celebrate as they wish. In his own words, "I didn't see it until after the match. I don't like when I'm on social media and I see people telling me how I can or can't celebrate. If you win the match, you deserve to do whatever you want. As a kid growing up, I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
The incident underscores the passion and emotions that run deep in the world of sports, with each individual interpreting actions through their unique lens.
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