Ben Shelton’s victory at the 2023 Japan Open in Tokyo was not only a significant moment in his tennis career but also an occasion to introduce a distinctive post-win celebration. After securing his maiden tour-level title at the ATP 500 event by defeating Russia’s Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 in the final, the American tennis player surprised both fans and fellow competitors with a new celebratory gesture.
In a subsequent press conference, Shelton shared the story behind his unconventional celebration and explained its significance. He revealed that the idea for the “It’s all business” celebration came from his compatriot and occasional doubles partner, Mackenzie McDonald. Shelton, who is 21 years old, recounted that McDonald suggested a gesture where the winner would mimic adjusting a tie on a suit and holding an imaginary briefcase to signify a business-like demeanor. This creative celebration was meant to convey a focused and professional approach to the game.
Shelton mentioned, “You know, this week, one of my friends here, [Mackenzie McDonald] was telling me about… he was like, ‘Yeah man, if you win, you should do this celebration where you act like you’re fixing your tie on your suit and hold a briefcase like, ‘It’s all business.’ So, I kind of did that a little bit after I shook hands with the ref.” This gesture certainly added a touch of originality to Shelton’s victory and resonated with fans and the tennis community.
Ben’s maiden moment 🌟#KinoshitaGroupJapanOpen pic.twitter.com/5gymkARnmt
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 22, 2023
The American player embraced his unique celebration by captioning his post-victory social media message with “All business this week,” making it clear that this gesture had personal meaning and significance for him.
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Shelton’s celebration is not the first unique gesture that has captured attention during his career. His ‘dialed-in’ celebration, characterized by a phone-call gesture, became the talk of the tennis world during the 2023 US Open. Interestingly, it even drew the attention of Novak Djokovic, who playfully imitated the celebration after his semi-final victory.
Shelton explained that the ‘dialed-in’ celebration held a special place for him and his friends back home. It was a tribute to hurdler and sprinter Grant Holloway, a three-time world champion who, like Shelton, represented the Florida Gators. Shelton expressed his desire to be original and creative with his on-court celebrations, emphasizing that they are spontaneous, in-the-moment expressions rather than pre-planned routines.
With his unique and spontaneous celebrations, Ben Shelton is not only making his mark in the world of tennis but also entertaining fans and keeping the sport vibrant and fun. His ‘It’s all business’ gesture is a testament to his creativity and individuality in a sport known for its traditions.
Ben Shelton in 2023
Currently ranked no.15 (career-high), the American played his last match on the 22nd of October when he overcame world no.37 Aslan Karatsev 7-5 6-1 in the final in Tokyo to win his 1st career title.
This year the American has achieved a compiled 28-24 match record. This year, Ben won 1 tournament in Tokyo.
Shelton is scheduled to play next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 30th of October.
