WATCH: NBA superstar Kevin Durant gives a big hug to Frances Tiafoe as the two banter on their basketball skills

Durant shares heartwarming moment with local tennis star Frances Tiafoe at Mubadala Citi DC Open.

WATCH: NBA superstar Kevin Durant gives a big hug to Frances Tiafoe as the two banter on their basketball skills

Kevin Durant and Frances Tiafoe (Credit: @TennisTV/Twitter)

On Tuesday night, NBA great Kevin Durant entered the stadium to witness local tennis talent Frances Tiafoe defeat Aslan Karatsev 7-6(5), 7-6(5). The atmosphere was electrifying, as they traded compliments and humorous banter about their different athletic abilities.

The Brooklyn Nets forward, famed for his basketball prowess, joined Tiafoe and stadium emcee Rennae Stubbs for an on-court interview, which delighted the crowd. Despite his basketball prominence, Durant was eager to acknowledge that his tennis is “nonexistent,” eliciting laughs from both fans and players. The true highlight of the evening, though, was the two athletes’ obvious affection and appreciation for one another.

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Durant couldn’t help but praise Tiafoe’s impact on his neighborhood when asked about him. Tiafoe has made headlines in the tennis world as a semi-finalist at last year’s US Open. And also a recent entrance into the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. He appreciated Tiafoe’s enthusiasm and expressed delight in seeing the local talent represent his community with passion and competence.

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“There was a lot of energy in the building. I’m glad he got the win. He’s bringing that energy from this area. He represents right. We’re all proud of him,” he said.

When asked who would dominate on a basketball floor, Durant said with a smirk, “I do,” which elicited further laughter from the audience.

Also Read: WATCH: Bianca Andreescu shouts at a disturbing spectator at the Citi Open, refuses to play until his removal

Frances Tiafoe triumphs in thrilling encounter against Aslan Karatsev

Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe (Credit: The New Yorker)

Tiafoe, the ATP 500 event’s second seed, demonstrated his shot-making prowess and resolve to please the home fans during a gripping second-round encounter against Russia’s Aslan Karatsev. The American, who won titles in Houston and Stuttgart earlier this year, demonstrated his resilience and skill to win a hard-fought 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5) encounter in two hours and nine minutes. Despite having not played a match since Wimbledon, Tiafoe, 25, overcame difficult hurdles and avoided a decider to advance in the event.

Tiafoe faced a key moment when serving at 5-4 in the second set, fighting off a set point to escape a long battle. Both players refused to concede an inch as the match continued to the second-set tiebreaker. Karatsev seized an early 5-3 lead in the tiebreaker, putting pressure on Tiafoe. However, the American showed incredible tenacity, winning four consecutive points and eventually winning the tiebreaker 7-5.

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