Novak Djokovic says he’s truly a giant admirer of Ben Shelton’s confidence and perception however underlines that there’s “a non-visible line” that some gamers should respect and never cross. 

Shelton, who made the 2023 Australian Open quarterfinal earlier than reaching the US Open semifinal a few months later, shortly established himself as one of the vital promising and entertaining gamers to look at. On the court docket, Shelton is carrying himself with confidence and he likes to get the gang engaged. 

Taking part in in his first Grand Slam semifinal in entrance of his residence followers, Shelton irked Djokovic when he determined to “grasp up the telephone” on the Serb. After finishing a three-set win over Shelton, Djokovic did the identical celebration, which many deemed because the Serb mocking the 21-year-old. 

In a latest interview with L’Equipe, Djokovic revealed that he felt Shelton “didn’t behave with respect” and that his determination to mimic the American’s celebration was “a response to a provocation.”

Djokovic reveals how he actually feels about Shelton’s sport and character

“So far as Shelton’s stage of confidence and popping out, I do not thoughts that really in any respect. I feel it is nice. You bought to imagine. I am all for that… I do not dislike that in any respect,” Djokovic mentioned.

“However there’s clearly some type of line, non-visible line, of acceptable habits I suppose in the direction of the opposite participant. If a participant steps over that line, then clearly it begins being annoying. That is once you react or you do not react, no matter. It simply relies upon.”

When the Australian Open draw was launched, No. 1 seed Djokovic and Sixteenth-seeded Shelton had been projected to fulfill within the Australian Open round-of-16. On Friday, Djokovic received the job achieved at Melbourne Park by beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in three units. 

However there will not be a Djokovic and Shelton assembly in Melbourne for the reason that American misplaced to Adrian Mannarino.