Nick Kyrgios wades into the debate on the Novak Djokovic vs Ben Shelton row

Ben Sheltons spat with Novak Djokovic continues to rumble on and now Nick Kyrgios has added his unique brand of extra spice to the debate. American youngster Shelton clased with Djokovic in the semi-finals of last years US Open, with the Serbian unimpressed by his attitude on the court.

Novak Djokovic at the US Open

Ben Shelton’s spat with Novak Djokovic continues to rumble on and now Nick Kyrgios has added his unique brand of extra spice to the debate.

American youngster Shelton clased with Djokovic in the semi-finals of last year’s US Open, with the Serbian unimpressed by his attitude on the court.

Shelton has a habit of making a gesture of ‘putting down a phone’ that symbolises he has stopped his opponent talking once he beats him and he did that against compatriot Frances Tiafoe.

Djokovic felt that was disrespectful and mocked Shelton by repeating the phone gesture when he ended his US Open dream last September.

“This is my reaction to a provocation that came from the other side, it was a reaction against him,” Djokovic told L’Equipe when asked about the incident.

“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 places himself in the ‘unsportsmanlike zone’, I react.”

Shelton was asked about those comments after he won his first game at the Australian Open, but refused to continue a war of words as he said: “I don’t really have anything else to say on the whole US Open situation,” he declared.

“I feel like I’ve been asked about it constantly in the last four or five months. I feel like I’ve said my peace on the matter. I would rather just let it settle and move forward. We’re in Australia now, and we’re at the Australian Open and not the US Open anymore.

“I’m just focusing on the Australian Open and happy and grateful to be here.”

The outspoken Kyrgios was never going to be so reserved when he was asked for his views on the spat between the tennis legend and the rising star and not surprisingly, he is enjoying the spectacle.

“I love it,” he told Eurosport. “Ben is one of the more exciting personalities we have in the sport and he can take the game a long way.

“A big American server with a lot of personality and that celebration against Tiafoe at the US Open was cold and then my boy Djokovic just took it a step further and did it to the guy who did it first.

“I loved it. I’ve honestly watched the video so many times and look, if it gets eyes on the sport and it’s not too crazy, I think I’m all for it. I love it.”

Former British No 1 also gave his views on the story as he suggested the fans will be entertained by such a fiesty rivalry, with Djokovic and Shelton possibly meeting in the fourth round at this month’s Australian Open.

“We are in the entertainment industry and when you talk about rivalries, you can have lot of differences,” said Henman.

“When you get a bit of annimosity and a two players that don’t neccessarily get along, we all know it adds to the spice.

“Imintiaition is the greatest form of flattery and I still don’t understand what that’s all about with Shelton. Hopefully they get a chance to play again this yeat and we can discuss it again.”

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