Frances Tiafoe goes into DEFENSIVE mode after receiving backlash for his comments on Stefanos Tsitsipas

Frances Tiafoe finds himself in trouble for his comments on Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Frances Tiafoe goes into DEFENSIVE mode after receiving backlash for his comments on Stefanos Tsitsipas

Frances Tiafoe and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

Frances Tiafoe is one tennis professional who seems to always talk his heart out. He is funny and likes to crack jokes and play pranks on people around him. However, his recent comments on Stefanos Tsitsipas seem to have got him into trouble.

The Greek tennis professional gave a very funny comment after winning his quarter-final match against Alex de Minaur at the Barcelona Open 2023. It was quite an exhilarating match and Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated the Australian 6-4, 6-2.

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American tennis broadcaster Tennis TV shared an excerpt of the Greek tennis professional’s post-match interview on social media a few days ago.

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“”I had the patience of a donkey today”. *adds to list of iconic Tsitsipas quotes*,” the caption read.

Frances Tiafoe thought of saying something on this quote of Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“Mad respect for this dude. Great player. But you gotta chill with these quotes my dude smh (facepalm). Just saying,” Tiafoe commented.

However, after some backlash coming in over the last few days, Frances Tiafoe justified his comments made on the current World No.5. His comments were shared on social media by a Greek journalist.

“Tiafoe tells me he has no problem with Tsitsipas: “I got crazy amount of respect for him, he is an unbelievable player-Saw those comments (“patience of a donkey”), I just think they are very funny. It’s not me bullying him, where I grew up we kids like to clown,”the caption read.

Both Frances Tiafoe and Stefanos Tsitsipas, meanwhile, are in Madrid, Spain for the Madrid Open 2023. It is possible that the two players may again run into each other.

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Frances Tiafoe wants more engagement during matches with fans

Frances Tiafoe with his fans (Image Credit: The Washington Post)
Frances Tiafoe with his fans (Image Credit: The Washington Post)

The American tennis professional is known for his antics on and off the court. He is a ‘showman’ but he is not allowed to show his true colors during a match. Tennis is a traditional sport and many want to keep it that way. However, there are many players, coaches and even fans who advocate some changes be made to make the environment more lively and enthusiastic.

Frances Tiafoe in an interview with American business magazine Forbes talked about his wish for some leniency in rules for the fans. He wants to interact with the audience in the stadium for the better.

“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. I am getting pumped up and I want the crowd [to get pumped up]. I’m just doing me, just being me. I’m going to do me and do what helps me play my best,” he had said.

Frances Tiafoe’s wish can only come true when there is some significant changes to the rules of the sport. This would require not just the fans and organizers but media, critics, the players and most importantly the player’s bodies ATP and WTA and the governing body ITF to come on board to bring into effect this change.

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