Ben Shelton‘s unique US Open celebration was a popular one among so many memorable things from the 2023 Tennis season. While everyone in the tennis world indulged in discussions about his teasing dial-up celebration, it was Novak Djokovic who stole it from him.

After Novak Djokovic put an end to Shelton’s run for the US Open as well as his unique celebration, he copied the same to mock him. On being asked for an answer to why he imitated it, Djokovic pointed towards the fun nature of the celebration. However, as the Serb moved away from his previous response, fans didn’t really seem to like it.

Fans lash out as Novak Djokovic changes his reaction on copying Ben Shelton’s dial-in celebration

Several fingers were pointed at Novak Djokovic when he mocked Ben Shelton after presenting him with a disappointing defeat. As the tennis legend copied his new dial-up reaction, he ended the debate by mentioning that he just loved the reaction. Although recently, the Serb slid from his previous response, saying, “It was a reaction against him, he did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match (…) If anyone places himself in the unsportsmanlike ‘zone’, I react.”

As soon as this shift in reaction reached fans, they didn’t seem to take it lightly. On a follow-up social media post that brought out the update, they lashed out with comments of disregard against the incident. Sliding down to some of the comments that are worth narrating the story, a fan, directly lashing out at the Serb’s response, wrote, “Novak post-match: “I just loved Ben’s celebration so decided to copy him.” Novak 4 months later: “behave, unsportsmanlike, zone, booo.” Once a Faker, always a Faker.”

Another fan, throwing disregard towards Djokovic’s act, commented, “I’m done with this old loser my God.”

Another fan, drawing the analogy behind why Nadal and Federer are more loved than the Serb, wrote, “Mimicking a 20-year-old local College player and then he wonders why he isn’t as loved and liked as Nadal and Federer. Should have a look at himself rather than complaining around.”

While Novak Djokovic is usually caught up in the controversies of rageful acts on the court, a fan threw those facts against him. “He did not behave properly on court” This is the guy who breaks racquets, insults umpires, insults crowds, scares ballkids and screams at them when they are too slow. He was even disqualified for harming a linesperson. Can’t wait Kyrgios’ comment on Shelton’s behavior now!” he wrote.

The trail of comments continued as a fan brought out a completely different perspective against Djokovic. “Is Djokovic so agitated by a black college kid expressing himself? In my opinion,” he wrote.

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With these and several other comments on the same note, the fans didn’t support Djokovic’s quick turn from his previous comments. Now that this happened, it remains to be seen if Ben Shelton comes forward with any reaction to it.

Shelton’s father lashing out at Djokovic’s act

Back when this controversy was in highlights and everyone in the tennis world was talking about it, Ben Shelton’s father also came forward to express his disregard.

As the Serb, being a senior of the sport, mocked the young American by copying his unique celebration, his father strictly opposed the act: “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”

Now that the debate has caught an ignition again, the situation seems to be on fire again.

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