American tennis star impressed by Grant Holloway in historic U.S. Open win

On Tuesday evening in New York Metropolis, 20-year-old tennis star Ben Shelton grew to become the youngest American male tennis participant to achieve the semi-finals on the U.S. Open. He celebrated his win with a novel “answering-the-phone” celebration that has gone viral. Publish-match, he revealed that his celebration was impressed by none apart from three-time world 110m hurdles champion Grant Holloway.

Ben Shelton’s response after beating Frances Tiafoe to achieve his first Grand Slam semifinal on the US Open.

He picks up the cellphone & hangs it up. 📞

Coldblooded. 🇺🇸 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XGf59Lne2k

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023

In an exhilarating and fiercely contested match in opposition to fellow American participant Frances Tiafoe, rising star Shelton showcased his prowess, successful with a rating of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(7), 6-2. Nonetheless, it was his post-match celebration that made all of the headlines.

In his post-match remarks, Shelton defined the cellphone celebration. “For me, the celebration is type of like I’m saying I’m ‘dialled in,’” stated Shelton to the media. “I’m shut buddies with plenty of observe & discipline athletes who practice on the College of Florida, particularly, Grant Holloway.”

Holloway is an achieved U.S. 110m hurdler who hasn’t misplaced a race for the reason that Tokyo Olympics in 2021. His electrical racing type and dominance have earned excessive reward from Shelton. “(His celebration) is type of his signature factor,” says Shelton. “He simply gained the world championships, so congrats to him.”

Ben Shelton on his post-match cellphone celebration:

«For me, it is type of like I am saying I am dialed in. That is what it’s for me. I am actually shut buddies with quite a bit observe & discipline athletes who practice on the College of Florida. One particularly, Grant Holloway, who’s gained the… pic.twitter.com/xWnBO8jRvD

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023

Shelton’s nod to Holloway’s signature celebration isn’t just a gesture of admiration but additionally a testomony to the mutual respect that world-class athletes have for each other. The younger star will face one of many all-time greats in Thursday’s semifinal, Novak Djokovic.