If Ben Shelton’s lefty serve doesn’t break you, his celebration might. We’re talking, of course, about his now-famous “hang up the phone” gesture—a move that’s gone from cheeky confidence to full-blown tennis meme gold. But after a certain ATP veteran copied it right back at him? Ohhh, it’s game on.
Let’s rewind.
Ben first pulled the now-iconic celebration during his stunning run to the US Open semifinals, holding his hand to his ear like he was taking a call… then snapping the phone shut. Cold. Bold. Instantly viral.
“It’s just something fun I used to do with my friends,” Shelton explained. “A little message that says, ‘I’m here. I’m making noise.’” Mission accomplished, Ben.
But THEN… cue the petty.
After taking Shelton down in a fiery match, Novak Djokovic (yes, THE Novak) threw the celebration right back at him—mimicking the phone call gesture and slamming it shut with maximum drama. The crowd gasped. Twitter exploded. And tennis entered its pettiest era.
Fans had thoughts.
“Djokovic just turned Shelton’s celebration into a tennis WWE moment,” one wrote. Another added, “Ben walked so Novak could sassy-walk.”
Shelton? Ice cold. No whining. No drama. Just a post-match grin and this glorious quote:
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
Savage. Subtle. So Shelton.
It’s clear Ben’s not just playing tennis—he’s playing the moment. And it’s working. Social media can’t get enough. His celebration has been memed, TikTok’d, and even spotted in high school football endzones. We’re talking cultural movement status.
Some traditionalists clutched pearls. “Is this too cocky?” they asked. Meanwhile, Gen Z replied with a resounding, “Let him cook.” Because let’s face it—tennis needs a little spice. And Ben Shelton brings the jalapeños.
Beyond the theatrics, Shelton’s winning fans because he’s real. He plays hard, celebrates harder, and handles shade like a seasoned pro. He’s not afraid to add flavor to the game—and in an era of stiff handshakes and polite nods, that’s refreshing.
Love it or hate it, the “hang up” is here to stay. And every time he makes that call, you just know the message is the same:
“I’ve arrived. And I’m not going anywhere.”