America’s Ben Shelton entered the US Open with the least expectations and reached the semi-final. But a storm named Novak Djokovic awaited him at the semis, and Shelton faced a straight-set defeat. After the American won his match against Frances Tiafoe, he unveiled the infamous dialed-in celebration that went viral overnight.
But this moment was topped when the Serb gave a taste of Shelton’s medicine to him by hanging up on his dial-in. This spread like wildfire all over the internet and caused a far war between Nole’s family and Shelton’s. Adding more fuel to the burning fire, Shelton sent anger waves into the Nole family, who claimed that the American disrespected the Djoker.
Novak Djokovic fans ruthlessly lash Ben Shelton’s impudence
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The American received huge support from his home crowd despite his on-court tactics. Djokovic put up with a discouraging crowd of Arthur Ashe, who cheered whenever he lost a point. Nole fam raised their concerns when Shelton remarked that Djoker owns some 23 of ‘these,’ referring to the Slams.
In an interview with GQ, the top-20 player said, “Ok I may not have won the match, but I wanted to let this guy know and the crowd know that I was here to play and that I will be back.”
A hard-core Djoker fan and tennis blogger posted it on ‘X’ and slammed, “This “guy” is the greatest player of all time. Respect is earned not given Ben.”
Ben Shelton talking to GQ today about his match v Djokovic;
“Ok I may not have won the match, but I wanted to let this guy know and the crowd know that I was here to play and that I will be back.”
This “guy” is the greatest player of all time. Respect is earned not given Ben.
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) September 14, 2023
Netizens echoed the sentiment of the blogger and followed suit in ripping Shelton apart. Fans displayed no remorse in slamming the young American for the second time in less than a week for his attitude.
A tennis enthusiast was confident that Shelton was in for another lesson from Djokovic. She wrote, “His disrespect will only ignite Djokovic to teach him a different lesson every time they face each other.”
His disrespect will only ignite Djokovic to teach him a different lesson every time they face each other.
— Trish Kisten (@trish_kisten1) September 14, 2023
A user on ‘X’ reminded the American did not even win a set against the Serb. He wrote, “Dude lost in straight sets. Wast even close.”
Dude lost in straight sets. Wast even close. 🤣
— gwongfit (@gwongfit) September 14, 2023
A tennis fan was stunned by Shelton’s remarks as he posted, ” “May not have won the match” He got steamrolled.”
“May not have won the match” He got steamrolled.
— G-Freezy82 (@GregoryFriesen1) September 14, 2023
Another user mocked that 20-year-old reminding him of the straight-set humiliation. She wrote, “Lol he got completely wrecked in straight sets.”
Lol he got completely wrecked in straight sets
— Gina Bontempo (@FlorioGina) September 14, 2023
An ‘X’ user reminisced about the classic moment when Djoker hung up on Shelton. He wrote, “Hilarious when Djokovic was “dialed in and hung up the phone on Shelton”. Classic flex.”
Hilarious when Djokovic was “dialed in and hung up the phone on Shelton”. Classic flex. 💪💪💪💪💪😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Jim Lane (@JimLaneFL) September 14, 2023
A tennis enthusiast revealed that Djoker destroyed Shelton in the match. He also expressed how funny it would be to re-watch the match. The user wrote, “Lol he was punked so bad in that match…. might just rewatch it for fun.”
Lol he was punked so bad in that match…. might just rewatch it for fun. 😂
— Ben (@BAR_Engineer) September 14, 2023
While some users focused on Shelton learning his lesson from World No.1, others labeled him as a typical American. Fans lashed out at the upbringing of the American as he became the subject of brutal trolling. ‘X’ users left nothing to the imagination in dragging the US Open semi-finalist down.
Djoker’s fans ace the barbaric game in destroying Shelton
The ATP rising professional is drowning in the terrible mess which is costing him his reputation. No sooner did he achieve his career-high run than the criticism piled up against him. Netizens are on a field day to wreck Sheldon’s attitude, and some even added a sarcastic hint to their trolling.
A tennis fan called Shelton a parrot as he posted, “I feel for Shelton. Like all USA players, he just parrots what his puppet-masters tell him to say.
I feel for Shelton. Like all USA players, he just parrots what his puppet-masters tell him to say.
— What’s It To You (@NeedDayJob) September 15, 2023
Another user took a diplomatic stance at Americans but stated his unforgiving stance toward the 20-year-old. He posted, “It’s that ‘you can do it’ American mentality, which is admirable, but sometimes classless. Shelton just came off disrespectful in this case. He needed a lesson in humility.”
It’s that ‘you can do it’ American mentality, which is admirable, but sometimes classless. Shelton just came off disrespectful in this case. He needed a lesson in humility.
— Vlada (@Popsatori75) September 14, 2023
A tennis enthusiast recalled the American’s attitude toward his compatriot Tommy Paul and stated, “He was also very disrespectful to Paul in that match. Typical American jock, blegh.”
He was also very disrespectful to Paul in that match. Typical American jock, blegh.
— Thomas Fransman (@thomasfransman) September 14, 2023
A user even blamed Shelton’s parents and wrote, “His parents did not teach him humility— he will have to learn the hard way!”
His parents did not teach him humility— he will have to learn the hard way!
— HB (@horsesandyoga) September 14, 2023
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A tennis fan dug the past form of Shelton and expressed, “Again, the guy was unable to win 2 matches in a row since Melbourne before the Open. Dude, you haven’t won anything yet. Earn your stripes before you start preening on the court.”
Again, the guy was unable to win 2 matches in a row since Melbourne before the Open. Dude, you haven’t won anything yet. Earn your stripes before you start preening on the court.
— Ted Williams (@tedwilliams222) September 14, 2023
The Serb, indeed, is the G.O.A.T. and is only one step away from rewriting history with his 25th Slam. Djoker owns more Grand Slams than Shelton’s age. So, it was almost like a reflex reaction for the Nole family to severe the American’s impolite addressing of the legend.
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Is a serious rivalry brewing up in the ATP circuit? What do you think of Shelton’s words? Let us know in the comments.
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