Frances Tiafoe‘s run for the title in Wimbledon started on an intense note. The American ATP star’s opening-round match against Matteo Arnaldi extended to five sets, allowing him an opportunity to attain the feat for the first time in his career. However, it seems like the triumph supplied him with overconfidence, which was later reflected in his harsh statement.

Frances Tiafoe used the center stage to vent out his frustration about the current ranking and recent performances. The American ATP star, who experienced a massive fall in his rankings compared to the previous year, said, “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.”

This comment came after Tiafoe won his first match at Wimbledon 2024. The battle against the Italian lasted for five long sets ending up with a final scoreline of 6-7 (5), 2-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4. This victory also marked the first time Tiafoe won a best-of-five match after trailing by two sets. Next, he will face Borna Coric in the second round.

During the same time last year, Frances Tiafoe was enjoying a high point in his career. He entered the Top 10 for the first time in June 2023 after winning the Stuttgart Open. Along with that, he also became the third African-American man to hit this mark, drawing his name parallel to legends like Arthur Ashe and James Blake.

However, this year brought several moments of setbacks for him. The ATP star has downgraded to the 29th ranking carrying a baggage of several setbacks. During his recent appearance at the Queen’s Club Championship 2024, he faced an early exit. This came after his first-round defeat to Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, 7-5, 4-6, 1-0. While it seems like it was the frustration that forced him to make such a comment, fans took charge soon after they heard of it.

Frances Tiafoe’s rage backfires as fans extend “ironic” remarks

Soon after Frances Tiafoe insulted his co-players collectively, a renowned journalist shared his comment as a post on social media. As soon as the fans came across the quotes, they couldn’t stop themselves from raining wrath on the American.

Tiafoe’s comment on co-players quickly backfired as a fan shot the insult back at him. “A real clown calling other tennis players clown,” he commented, considering the evident downfall he faced, right from the start of this season. Another fan, decided to take the sarcastic road by asking the viewers, “Isn’t it ironic?” He targeted to regard the American as a “clown”.

The majority of tennis players follow a general code of conducting conversations with respect among co-stars. Marking the absence of that code in Frances Tiafoe’s statement, a fan commented, “This is such a rude thing to say about your coworkers.” A majority of the fans saw this as a moment to regard the American ATP star as a clown himself. “Lmao a clown calling another tennis player a clown,” another comment said.

A fan pressed on the fact that Tiafoe’s levels are “mid” and will continue to be. “WTH the nerve..he’s mid always was and will be. I can’t take full of themselves players,” he wrote. Tiafoe has faced multiple setbacks this season. The ATP star couldn’t move past the second round in any of the grand slam events of this season, hence forcing the fans to regard him as “mid”.

While a majority of the fans decided to match the intensity levels with Tiafoe, a comment seemed to lie on a calmer side. “All he needed to do was put it a little nicer  “I was losing to players I think I’m better than” he wrote, as an attempt to make the ATP star understand how it needs to be said.

With these and several other comments on a similar note, the fans made it clear that they were not at all ready to take insult on the other ATP stars. Although Frances Tiafoe has advanced to the next round after a tough five-setter, he still carries the baggage of hatred from fans.