"This is why Novak Djokovic will never be seen in same light as Nadal and Federer" - Fans slam Serb for mocking Ben Shelton after US Open SF win

Novak Djokovic cruised into the final of the 2023 US Open by beating young American sensation Ben Shelton in the semifinals on Friday, September 8.

The Serb was at his usual best and exploited the inexperience of Shelton, who, at 20, was playing his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal. Novak Djokovic dismissed Shelton's challenge in straight sets, winning 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

After downing Shelton, however, Djokovic mimicked the American's signature celebration of picking up the phone and hanging it up. Shelton famously celebrated that way after beating Frances Tiafoe in the quarterfinal.

Many in the tennis world did not like Djokovic mocking Shelton, and took to social media to express their disappointment.

Some fans claimed this is the kind of behavior why many in the tennis world do not adore Novak Djokovic the same way they do Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Others found the 36-year-old's conduct unnecessary towards a 20-year-old who had just played the biggest match of his career.

"Pathetic. This is why Nole will never be seen in the same light as Rafa and Roger. He doesn’t want anyone to succeed but himself," stated a fan.

"Imo, completely unnecessary celebration from 36-year-old Novak Djokovic after beating a 20-year-old Ben Shelton, who was playing the biggest match of his career in front of his home crowd and was *never* disrespectful towards him," one fan wrote on X.

"Novak's "hang-up" thing at the end was a little cartoonishly uncalled for, right? It was a straight set win that was never in doubt," said another.

"Was this really necessary?" Renowned tennis journalist Christopher Clarey questioned.

Here are some more fan reactions to Novak Djokovic's celebration:

Novak Djokovic to face either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev in US Open final

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's last hurdle in his quest for a fourth title at the US Open will either be No. 1 seed and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or No. 3 seed and former champion Daniil Medvedev.

Interestingly, both men have beaten Djokovic at a Slam in the past. Alcaraz did it this year by beating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Meanwhile, Medvedev defeated Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final after the Serb had grabbed the three other Majors that year.

So far at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has beaten Bernade Zapata Miralles, Laslo Djere (who took two sets off of the Serb), Borna Gojo, Taylor Fritz and now Ben Shelton. The 23-time Grand Slam champion last lifted the title in New York in 2018, when he bettered Juan Martin Del Potro in the final.

With his win over Shelton, Djokovic has reached the final of all four Grand Slams in the same year for the third time in his career (previously in 2015 and 2021). He is now hoping to become the oldest man to win the US Open singles title in the Open Era, breaking Ken Rosewell's record, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 1970 at the age of 35.