"Ben Shelton needs to grow up, until then he'll just be a cocky kid" - Fans slam American for 'rude' gesture towards Frances Tiafoe in US Open 3R loss
Ben Shelton has sparked controversy with his celebration at the US Open yet again, earning the ire of tennis fans for his seemingly taunting gesture towards Frances Tiafoe. Fans were quick to recall the uproar caused by Shelton's 'dialed-in' celebration after beating Tiafoe at last year's New York Major, which became even more contentious when Novak Djokovic imitated the gesture after ousting the 21-year-old in the semifinals.
The all-American showdown between Shelton and Tiafoe progressed in thrilling fashion at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Shelton initially seizing control by securing the opening set 6-4. Although Tiafoe leveled the match by winning the second set, the 21-year-old edged ahead once more by triumphing in the riveting third-set tiebreak.
Following his victory in the tense tiebreak, Ben Shelton flexed his bicep in Frances Tiafoe's direction, which was interpreted as a taunt by fans. However, the World No. 13's satisfaction was short-lived as Tiafoe bounced back strongly to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 victory after four hours and three minutes.
Tennis fans did not take kindly to Ben Shelton's "rude" gesture towards Tiafoe, with many lambasting him for being too "cocky."
"Shelton needs to grow up until then he will just be a cocky typical new generation kid, a footnote in tennis history," one fan commented.
"Kinda rude. Like hanging up after Djokovic," another fan chimed in.
"Pride comes before a fall 🎾 cocky guy hasn't learned that lesson yet," said another.
One fan even suggested that the 21-year-old's eventual loss after his gesture was a result of "karma."
"Karma comes back at you fast," the fan shared.
Others, meanwhile, were disappointed that Frances Tiafoe didn't emulate Novak Djokovic by imitating Ben Shelton's celebration after his victory.
"I was hoping Tiafoe would put the phone down gesture on Shelton. That would be been so sweet!!" one fan posted.
"I was hoping Tiafoe would put the phone down📞⬇️ 🤣🤣🤣," another fan wrote.
"I'm always going to be somebody who doesn't back away from a challenge" - Ben Shelton 'undeterred' by 'dialed-in' controversy involving Novak Djokovic
Ben Shelton is unlikely to be fazed by the backlash from fans, as he recently revealed that the controversy involving Novak Djokovic about his 'dialed-in' celebration hadn't deterred him from being himself.
"I think that was just kind of me being myself. Me giving some shout-outs to my friends. I think that it's something that I guess wasn't taken the way that I wanted it to be, but I don't think it deterred me from being who I am," he said in a recent press conference at the US Open.
The 21-year-old also emphasized that he would never shy away from a challenge, disclosing that he enjoyed picking his battles and choosing the right moment to make his presence felt.
"I'm always going to be somebody who doesn't back away from a challenge or get quiet when I get pressed. That's just not the type of person I am. You've got to pick your battles, you know, choose your moments to really get loud," he added.
After ousting Ben Shelton from the 2024 US Open, Frances Tiafoe will take on the winner of the match between defending champion Novak Djokovic and 28th seed Alexei Popyrin in the fourth round.