Violins & golf swings: Explaining Djokovic & Alcaraz's US Open celebrations
Novak Djokovic has busted out two different on-court moves after his 2025 US Open wins, both to honour his daughter Tara.
Most recently, after his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz, the seventh seed delighted — and, perhaps, perplexed — fans by pretending to take a slug from a bottle, then performing a shoulder-shaking dance.
This, he said, was to send a message to his daughter on her eighth birthday, explaining that the choreography is from the chart-topping song “Soda Pop” from her fave film, KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most watched movie ever.
“We are at home doing different choreographies, and this is one of them,” the Serb superstar said while still on court. “Hopefully I’ll make her smile when she wakes up in the morning.”
Djokovic, who is in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam singles title, has also reprised his impression of a violin virtuoso, tucking his racquet under his chin to use as an instrument. This move was inspired by Tara too, who had just learned to play when he concocted it two years ago.
View this post on Instagram
While Djokovic “soda-pops” his way into the semi-finals, other winners are showcasing new moves too. Here’s a look at some signature celebrations—and what they mean.
Alcaraz Takes A Swing
Who will be celebrating after Friday’s match between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz? On his way into the semi-final showdown, the Spanish star has used his racquet to simulate a golf swing, a gesture he directed toward golfing great (and pal) Rory McIlroy, who was in the stadium when Alcarez beat Reilly Opelka in Round 1.
“I think I own it,” Alcarez said of the move after he swung a second time, celebrating his Round 2 defeat of Mattia Bellucci.
Read the full story at USOpen.org
[NEWSLETTER FORM]