“Losing to clowns,” Frances Tiafoe sparks controversy after his first-round win at Wimbledon

Francis Tiafoe has thrown some harsh bombs in his press conference.

“Losing to clowns,” Frances Tiafoe sparks controversy after his first-round win at Wimbledon

Frances Tiafoe (Via Imago)

Former top 10 player Frances Tiafoe has had a disastrous 2024 season. Despite his unconvincing first-round win at Wimbledon, the American ace has made controversial remarks about his level of play this year.

Tiafoe arrived at SW19 after early exits at Stuttgart and Queen’s Club Championships. Now, speaking in his post-match press conference, the 26-year-old labeled the players he lost to this year as ‘clowns’.

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Literally, this week last year, I was 10 in the world, and now I’m barely seeded here (at Wimbledon). Losing to clowns, I hate to say it, but I’m just gonna be honest.
Francis Tiafoe said in his post-match press conference (H/T: Ubi Tennis)

After a disastrous grass-court campaign so far, Tiafoe’s season could have gone even worse when he trailed by two sets against Matteo Arlandi. However, the American silenced his critics for now with a comeback win of 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.

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This is the first time that Tiafoe has come back from two sets down in any Grand Slam event. The 26-year-old will face Borna Coric next.

Frances Tiafoe through to the second round despite unconvincing win

Unseeded American Frances Tiafoe avoided a first-round exit by overcoming a two-set deficit, beating Italy’s Matteo Arlandi. This marks the first time the former top 10 player has come back from such a deficit in any Grand Slam event.

Frances Tiafoe Wimbledon
Frances Tiafoe (via Imago)

In his most recent tournament outing at the Queen’s Club, Tiafoe retired early in the third set due to a hip injury sustained from a fall. Prior to this setback, the 26-year-old had managed consecutive wins only twice this season.

During the match against Arlandi, Tiafoe thwarted a crucial break opportunity at 3-2 in the fourth set, maintaining control. This proved pivotal as the No. 29 seed then dominated, winning the next five games.

In the deciding set with a 4-3 lead, Tiafoe took charge with a well-executed backhand drop shot that forced an error from Arlandi. He secured the victory by serving a decisive body serve that the unseeded Italian couldn’t return.

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