Novack Djokovic seals his chance to win yet another grand slam, after winning the semi-finals against Ben Shelton. The legend will meet Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final on Sunday.
After winning the men's singles semi-final, Djokovic imitated a 20-year-old unseeded American's 'phone' celebration.
“I just love Ben's celebration,” said Djokovic, barely containing his smile in post-match press conference. “I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I stole his celebration.”
“I didn't see it until after the match,” Shelton said in his post-match press conference. “You know, I don't like when I'm on social media and I see people telling me how I can celebrate or can't celebrate. You know, I think 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, so that's all I have to say about that.”
The Serbian star player limited big-serving Shelton to five aces and broke him five times in their U.S. Open semifinal. Djokovic pushed back when the 20-year-old unseeded American produced a late stand that got the home crowd into the match.
And after overcoming what he called “a little black hole” caused by tension to right himself, finished off a 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory and reached his record-tying 10th final at Flushing Meadows and 36th at all major tournaments, Djokovic added a touch of insult to injury by mimicking the kid's “Hang up the phone!” celebration gesture.
Djokovic then pointed to his temple and pounded his fist on his chest, before a stone-faced Shelton met him at the net for the most perfunctory of handshakes. A year after Djokovic could not travel to the United States for the Open because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19, the 36-year-old is one victory away from a fourth title in New York and 24th Grand Slam championship overall.
“Well, the fact is that, at 36, every Grand Slam final could be the last one. So I think that I probably value these occasions and opportunities to win another Slam more than I have maybe 10 years ago,” said Djokovic, who would be the oldest man to win the U.S. Open in the professional era, which began in 1968. “I don’t know how many I have ahead of me now.”
He has made it to the finals of all four majors this season, with victories at the Australian Open in January and French Open in June.
On Sunday, Djokovic will face 2021 U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who advanced by eliminating defending champ Carlos Alcaraz 7-6 (3), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the second semifinal Friday night.
(With AP inputs)
First Published: Sept 9, 2023 12:58 PM IST
