Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz explain the U.S. Open Celebration | ATP Journey

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Violin and Golf: Explaining the American Open Celebration of Djokovic and Alcalaz

Couples to face Friday in the New York Grand Slam semifinal

September 5, 2025

Novak Djokovic both eliminated two different court moves in honor of his daughter Tara after his 2025 U.S. Open victory.

Recently, after his quarter-final defeat of Taylor Fritz, the Seventh Seed was happy (and perhaps confused) by pretending to take a ball out of the bottle and performing a shoulder-swinging dance.

He said it was sending a message to her daughter on her eighth birthday, explaining that the choreography was from her favorite movie Kpop Demon Hunters, the top song “Soda Pop” of Netflix’s most-watched movie ever.

“We do different choreography at home, and that’s one of them,” the Serb superstar still said in court. “Hopefully when she wakes up in the morning, I’ll make her smile.”

Djokovic, who is looking for his 25th Grand Slam singles title, also re-impressed his impression of a violin player, tucking his racket under his chin as an instrument. This move was also inspired by Tara, who had just learned to play when he was concocting the game two years ago.

When Djokovic “Soda” reached the semifinals, other winners were showing new moves. Here are some signature celebrations, and what they mean.

Alcaraz swings
Who will celebrate after Friday’s match between Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz? On the way to the semi-final showdown, the Spanish star simulated his golf swing using a racket, a gesture he pointed to golf big (and friend) Rory McIlroy, who was at the stadium when Alcarez beat Reilly Opelka in Round 1.

“I think I have it,” Alcares said of the move after his second swing, celebrating his second round defeat against Mattia Bellucci.

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