Novak Djokovic is not the most liked player on the tour. And we know that he doesn’t mind that. At the US Open semifinal, Djokovic looked petty by imitating his opponent Ben Shelton after beating him easily.

Ben Shelton has been doing the “phone celebration” at the US Open after his wins at the US Open. Djokovic copied that celebration and Shelton gave him a cold stare as they shook hands at the net.

Speaking of the celebration at his post-match press conference, Djokovic said:

I just love Ben’s celebration. I thought it was very original. I copied him. I stole his celebration.

Shelton in his presser that he didn’t notice Djokovic’s imitation on the court but was flattered by his actions.

I didn’t see it until after the match. I don’t like when I’m on social media and I see people telling me how I can or can’t celebrate. If you win the match you deserve to do whatever you want. As a kid growing up, I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Djokovic perhaps felt that Ben Shelton celebrating his unforced errors was professional. Novak Djokovic looked petty imitating a young up-and-coming player. Shelton comes from playing college tennis where these kinds of celebrations are encouraged.

Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard is joining the pickleball tour in 2024. But she is not retiring just yet.

Bouchard joins a growing list of tennis players opting to play on the pickleball tour. Recently Sam Querrey and Jack Sock joined the Professional Pickleball Tour (PPT).

While the PTT’s prize money is low compared to tennis, the league is offering signing bonuses to bring top tennis players to pickleball. They are probably hoping that some tennis fans will come to the sport along with the tennis players.

For struggling tennis players and those on the verge of retirement, pickleball is a lucrative option. The sport is also easy on the body and has less travel since pickleball is concentrated in a few countries.