'Unsportsmanlike' act American can't escape as Kyrgios weighs in

US tennis phenom Ben Shelton loves the big stage.

And for the most part, it loves him back.

The big serving 21-year-old is full of bravado and swagger.

All of that was on display as he as he stormed into the final four at the US Open in September last year.

But a simple act has haunted him since.

After knocking out fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a quarter-final contest at Flushing Meadows, Shelton debuted his now-infamous “hang up the phone” celebration.

Novak Djokovic, waiting for him in the semis, was watching. And after dispatching Shelton in straight sets, Novak delivered Shelton’s signature celebration right back to him.

The topic has taken on a life of its own ever since.

The No. 16 seed can’t escape questions about it. Videos posted to social media just this week about the incident continue to go viral.

After his first round win in Melbourne against Roberto Bautista Agut, Shelton tried to play it down

“I don’t really have anything else to say on the whole US Open situation,” Shelton told reporters.

“I feel like I’ve been asked about it constantly in the last four or five months. I feel like I’ve said my peace on the matter. I would rather just let it settle and move forward.

Ben Shelton is a rising star. Picture: Getty Images via AFPSource: AFP

We’re in Australia now, and we’re at the Australian Open and not the US Open anymore. I’m just focusing on the Australian Open and happy and grateful to be here.”

But not everybody has moved on. Speaking to French publication L’Equipe, Djokovic suggested the matter was not yet put to bed.

“I don’t provoke,” he said. “This is my reaction to a provocation that came from the opposite side. Concerning Ben Shelton, it was a reaction against him, on the fact that he did not behave correctly, with respect on the court, and also before the match.

“I am never going to make fun of someone if they don’t do something first. Every time I lose, I always give my opponent a hug, I congratulate him, I respect him and his team. But if someone places themselves in the ‘unsportsmanlike’ zone, I react.”

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory against Ben Shelton at the 2023 US Open. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images via AFPSource: AFP

Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios has now weighed in, too.

Asked about the celebration on Eurosport, Kyrgios said: “I love it. Ben is one of the more exciting personalities we have in the sport, and he’s going to take the game a long way. A big American server, who’s got a lot of personality, and that celebration was cold, I’m not going to lie, against Tiafoe at the US Open.

“But then my boy Djokovic took it a step further and did it to the guy who did it first. I loved it, I watched the video so many times, I think it’s hilarious.

“If it gets eyes on the sport, and it’s not too crazy, I’m all for it, but I like it, I love it.”

The celebration that started it all.Source: Supplied

Shelton faces Aussie Chris O’Connell in the second round on Wednesday. The 29-year-old from Sydney made it through to the third round in 2022 and is hoping for a repeat this year. On facing the explosive Atlanta product, O’Connell kept things simple.

“Ben is unbelievable,” he told reporters at Melbourne Park.

“He’s playing some scary tennis at times, just a real live-wire type of arm. It’s crazy. I haven’t seen anything like it so that would be pretty cool to play him.”

If Shelton gets past O’Connell on Wednesday, the draw doesn’t get any easier. And if both Djokovic and Shelton get through to the fourth round, they will face off again.

And the American can expect more questions about that gesture.