- Novak Djokovic called Ben Shelton ‘unsportsmanlike’ at the US Open
- In reference to Shelton miming the use of a telephone in court
- The pair could meet in the fourth round of the Australian Open
American youngster Ben Shelton was in no mood to discuss his ongoing feud with Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last year following his first round victory at the Australian Open.
Shelton, 21, the 16th seed at Melbourne Park, outscored Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets in what was an impressive performance on Show Court 2 on Monday.
Attention quickly turned to Serbian superstar Djokovic, who called the American rising star “unsportsmanlike” in a recent interview with French publication L’Equipe.
That comment was in connection with Shelton’s now infamous imitation of using a phone on the court during his impressive run to the semifinals in New York last September.
Djokovic, who defeated Shelton in straight sets at the US Open before lifting the trophy, said at the time that he found the youngster’s celebration amusing.
American youngster Ben Shelton was in no mood to discuss his ongoing feud with Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows last year, following his first round victory at the Australian Open
In a recent interview, Djokovic confirmed that he mocked Shelton’s on-court celebration as he felt the young gun was being disrespectful to his opponents.
The 21-year-old was impressive at his home Grand Slam last September, reaching the semi-finals
The recent interview with L’Equipe told a different story, with Djokovic confirming that he mocked Shelton after he felt the budding star was disrespectful to previous opponents.
“It was a reaction against him,” said the 24-time Grand Slam winner.
“He (Shelton) did not behave properly, with respect, on the field and before the game.
‘I’m never going to make fun of someone if they don’t do something first.
“Every time I lose, I always hug my opponent, congratulate him, respect him and his team. “(But) if someone puts themselves in the ‘unsportsmanlike zone’, I will respond.”
Pressing on the simmering tension between the two in Melbourne, Shelton stated that he “doesn’t really have anything else to say about the whole US Open situation.”
“I feel like I’ve been asked about it constantly for the last four or five months,” he said.
In what looms as a promoter’s dream, Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic will meet in the fourth round at the Australian Open
Incredibly, 36-year-old Djokovic is chasing his 11th career grand slam at Melbourne Park
‘I feel like I’m at peace with it. I’d rather just let it sink in and move on.
‘We’re in Australia now, not at the US Open, so I’m just concentrating on the Australian Open. ‘I’m happy and grateful to be here.’
When asked why he thinks he stepped into Djokovic’s shoes, Shelton didn’t reveal much.
“I feel like I’m having a good time on the tennis court,” he said.
“Anyone can have an opinion about who I am or how I act, but yeah, I don’t know… I don’t really have an answer to your question.”
In what looms as a promoter’s dream, Shelton and Djokovic are on course to meet in the fourth round at the Australian Open.