WATCH: “Are you watching?” – Frances Tiafoe gets booed after getting involved in a HEATED verbal tussle with the Italian crowd

Frances Tiafoe lashes back at the booing crowd in the Italian Open.

WATCH: “Are you watching?” – Frances Tiafoe gets booed after getting involved in a HEATED verbal tussle with the Italian crowd

Frances Tiafoe giving back to the Italian crowd (Image Credit: TennisTV Twitter)

Frances Tiafoe got incessantly booed by the Italian crowd in his round of 32 match against Lorenzo Musetti. At one point he got booed for doing an underarm serve. Though the incident here is a different one. When Tiafoe was incessantly getting booed in the third set, he spoke directly to a spectator, asking them aggressively, “Are you watching? Are you watching?”

The match was not being played in ideal conditions. It started to rain toward the end of the 1st set, but the match went on between Frances Tiafoe and Lorenzo Musetti. The first set was taken by the American, while the Italian elevated his game and took the second set in the belt. In the beginning of the third set, Tiafoe looked distressed by the conditions in which the match was being played with rain pouring down. An unhappy Tiafoe forfeited his first service game to Lorenzo.

YouTube video

During and after the third set first service game, Tiafoe had a very heated argument with the chair umpire asking him, “How are we still playing on this court right now?” At this point, the Italian crowd started booing the American pretty aggressively. This pushed the already annoyed World No. 12 over the edge. Frances Tiafoe. The tournament official, who was also watching the match from the bylines, also faced the wrath of the 25-year-old.

FS Video

Finally, Tiafoe lost his cool on the crowd, picking on one of them directly. The match was suspended after the 3 games in the third set, after constant complaints from Tiafoe. He still was quite upset with the way the decision was delayed to stop the match.

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Frances Tiafoe had advocated more interactive experiences for tennis fans

Frances Tiafoe had advocated more interactive experiences for tennis fans
Image Credit: Eurosport

A couple of months back, Frances Tiafoe had actually spoken up for tennis spectators being able to engage during matches. He had said that spectators should be allowed to express themselves during a match rather than being quiet. The American believes the spectators should get their money’s worth and always puts up entertainment for them. Whether he loses or wins, he ensures his fans go back home happy. Whether it’s his dance moves on the court, or how he celebrates his point, he keeps them on their toes.

Tiafoe said in an interview to Forbes, “I think fans should be able to come and go and move around and speak during matches. Imagine going to a basketball game and not saying anything.” Guess the American was not relating this to the Italian crowd. Sometimes a crowd can be behind you and sometimes against.

Booing is becoming commonplace in tennis. If the crowd is supporting a local hero, the opponent automatically becomes the villain for them. And one wrong move brings the boos on for players. Since tennis is a sport where only an individual needs to focus, a distraction from the crowd can become a deterrent.

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