Ben Shelton was defeated by Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open and the Serb mimicked the young American’s celebration after the match played at the Arthur Ashe Arena.

“Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery,” Shelton says after Djokovic copies him

Having defeated the home favorite in three sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4), Nole “suspended” the American, and then explained this gesture to journalists.

“I love how Ben celebrates. I thought it was very original and copied it. I stole his holiday” – Novak Djokovic.

Shelton commented on this moment at a press conference and says that he has no right to tell his opponent how to celebrate a victory.

“I didn’t see this gesture until the end of the game. I don’t like being on social media and seeing people telling me how I can or can’t celebrate. If you win a match, you deserve to do whatever you want. As a child, I understood that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” – Ben Shelton.

In the final act at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic will face Daniil Medvedev in a repeat of the 2021 final, when the Russian won.

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