David Goffin didn’t really appreciate one of Ben Shelton’s gestures during their Acapulco match and he made sure to return the favor to the 22-year-old.
Up by a set and serving at 0-1 0/15 in the second set, the Belgian hit a miss-hit and the ball went well out to make the score in the game 0/30.
The No. 5 seed proceeded to loudly celebrate, which instantly made Goffin annoyed as started making faces in front of the American.
Then in the very next point, Shelton’s ball didn’t come even close to going over the net.
The 34-year-old celebrated just as the American did a point earlier and he repeated it one more time just in case he wasn’t heard well the first time.
Goffin then turned to his box and smiled.
lmaoo ben was annoying him pic.twitter.com/nHuVCNZUTf
— Waluigi IRL (@NoBSRussian) February 27, 2025
After the incident, the Belgian former world No. 7 went on to complete a 7-6 (3) 6-3 upset win.
But the current world No. 63 didn’t manage to back up his big win and continue his Acapulco run after Brandon Nakashima handed him a 7-6 (4) 6-2 loss in the quarterifnal.
Goffin wasn’t the only player to have the same issue with Shelton
If you remember well, the 22-year-old hung up the phone on Novak Djokovic during their 2023 US Open semifinal.
After beating the American, Djokovic returned the favor and pulled off the same celebration.
“This is my reaction to a provocation that came from the other side, it was a reaction against him,” the Serb told L’Equipe last year.
“He did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match.
“I’m never going to make fun of someone if they don’t do something first. Every time I lose I always give my opponent a hug, I congratulate him, I respect him and his team.
“If anyone one places himself in the ‘unsportsmanlike zone’, I react.”
Tennis World USA