“That’s the mark Serena left in the game” – Frances Tiafoe faces the backlash of fans for racket smashing down a match point as USA loses its Davis Cup tie 

Frances Tiafoe's outburst cost USA the match.

“That’s the mark Serena left in the game” – Frances Tiafoe faces the backlash of fans for racket smashing down a match point as USA loses its Davis Cup tie 

Frances Tiafoe criticized by fans for his poor conduct on court (Images via X)

American tennis ace Frances Tiafoe almost cost his team a spot in the Final 8 of the ongoing Davis Cup as he let his emotions take over his actions during the match against Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor. Tiafoe smashed his racket onto the court after his request for a replay was denied by the chair umpire. Resultantly, the USA were handed a penalty on match point and hence lost the match.

This meant that the USA were 0-2 down and lost to the Netherlands second time in a row in two years. Also, it was Tiafoe’s second defeat at the Davis Cup 2023. While he lost to Croatian Borna Gojo in the USA’s match against the hosts, the World No.1 went down to Tallon Griekspoor on Thursday. 

YouTube video

The American lost his cool when Griekspoor was awarded four match points after the Dutch challenged a call from the chair umpire. Tiafoe wanted to replay it again claiming the umpire had made his call before he hit the ball. However, the chair umpire did not oblige to the American’s request which eventually led to the outburst. 

FS Video

The World No.11 first argued with the chair umpire and then with the tournament referee as well. But with nothing going in his favor, Tiafoe lost his cool and smashed the racket onto the court multiple times. Found guilty of code violation, Tiafoe was handed a penalty point resulting in Griekspoor’s win.

Also Read: “You don’t need to be swearing or breaking racquets,” Ben Shelton not a fan of on-court antics as the youngster remains focused on making a name for himself

Frances Tiafoe gets schooled by fans over his outburst in Davis Cup

Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe (Inage via AP News)

As the clips of the incident went viral on social media, fans started sharing their opinion. Most of the users blamed Tiafoe for not keeping his calm. While one user claimed the tennis culture in the USA is not so good, another one even dragged Serena Williams’ name asking if this is the mark she has left on the game. 

Check out the spectrum of reactions from fans on the France Tiafoe incident. 

https://twitter.com/TLunnRacingTips/status/1702442707375841686?s=20

While Frances Tiafoe faces heat for his outburst, the USA need the World No.11 to buckle up ahead of their last group-stage tie. The USA will now face Finland in their third match and they need to win at any cost to stay alive in the tournament. Also, they would have to rely on the results of the other two matches, especially Croatia vs. Netherlands.

In case you missed it!