Djokovic’s controversial gesture to Shelton at the US Open

Novak Djokovic He did his job by beating Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2 and 7-6 (7-4) in 2h.39′. It was a peaceful afternoon for him in New York, except for solving a semifinal where he came as a clear favorite because of his experience with the 20-year-old American rookie.

The Serbian, 36 years old and No. 2, was well controlled to reach his 36th Grand Slam final, the tenth at the US Open, where he has already won in 2011, 2015 and 2018. He is seeking a 24th Grand Slam crown.

Although Djokovic He mixed in the resolution of the match, which coincided with a blowout period for Shelton, who was supported by a crowd that believed for several minutes in prolonging the rivalry.

‘No’ He had to save a set point at 5-4 and serve, but the first match-ball at 6-5 and serve was not worth it. He had to settle it in the tiebreak, when the atmosphere began to heat up dangerously for him.

He closed the rivalry with the Americans in his favor, celebrating it in a gesture that was unusual for him. Which was controversial because it mimicked the usual celebration of Ben Shelton in his triumph, when he pretends to pick up the phone, speaks and hangs up.

Djokovic was direct by asking him to get the phone and put it down immediately. A more violent and shorter movement than usual of his rival, who was waiting for him at that moment at the net for the protocol greeting at the end of the match. It can be interpreted in a thousand ways, also as a challenge to Shelton and the fans. He closed them.

gg.didomi.doWhenConsent(!window.didomiBypass, ‘c:twitterwi-wUmBnnKy’, function () {
var x = document.createElement(‘script’);
x.setAttribute(“type”,”text/javascript”);
x.setAttribute(“src”, “//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”);
x.setAttribute(“charset”, “utf-8”);
$(“.twitter-tweet”).closest( “span” ).append(x);
});

The US Open paid attention to the detail, which it compared to another unpopular gesture at Wimbledon, where Djokovic cried on his way to the stands.

Surely this ending from Djokovic was unnecessary, as it could be understood as a certain contempt for his opponent.

gg.didomi.doWhenConsent(!window.didomiBypass, ‘c:twitterwi-wUmBnnKy’, function () {
var x = document.createElement(‘script’);
x.setAttribute(“type”,”text/javascript”);
x.setAttribute(“src”, “//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js”);
x.setAttribute(“charset”, “utf-8”);
$(“.twitter-tweet”).closest( “span” ).append(x);
});

For Shelton, that celebration when he wins is “connecting with my friends back home.” He inherited it from the champion athlete of 110 meter hurdles Grant Holloway classmate at the University of Florida.