The heat in Melbourne is unforgiving. To make matters worse, Frances Tiafoe had to play a five-setter against Arthur Rinderknech in the Australian Open first round, which further turned up the heat for the American. Both figuratively and literally. With temperatures soaring to 26 degrees Celsius and humidity being 63%, Big Foe started strong, taking the first two sets 7-6 and 6-3. However, things took a downturn in the third set when a double fault disrupted his momentum. Rinderknech capitalized on this, winning the third set 6-4. This was only the beginning of the trouble for Frances.

In the fourth set, Tiafoe was just one game away from victory but faltered. A forehand forced error allowed Rinderknech to claim the set 7-6. From being two sets up and leading 5-2 in the fourth, Tiafoe found himself in a tough five-set battle.

During a changeover, Frances was seen on the sidelines with his hands on his hips, towel clutched to his side. Why? As per reports, he vomited mid-match, likely due to heat stroke. Damien Peck from ABC Sport posted on X, “🥵 It’s hot out here. Frances Tiafoe with a spew from what looked like a bit of heat stroke. @abcsport #AusOpen #AO2025.” This situation poses significant challenges for Tiafoe.

Tiafoe encountered a similar situation back in 2019 during the French Open against Filip Krajinovic. He faced a tough first-round exit at the 2019 French Open, losing to Filip Krajinovic after battling a mysterious illness. The American struggled significantly, vomiting before the fifth set and describing himself as “very depleted.” Krajinovic ultimately won the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, dominating the final set and winning it in just 23 minutes as Tiafoe wilted under pressure.

Reflecting on his experience post-match, he said, “You work so hard, and obviously it’s a grand slam, so you want to do your best. And you have this random illness that you have no idea why it’s occurring. It’s tough to lose like that.” Fortunately, Tiafoe had no such worries in his latest match.

In the end, Tiafoe triumphed over Rinderknech with an impressive 6-3 victory, showcasing his resilience despite battling illness on the court. This win propels the American 17th seed into the second round of the tournament!

Frances Tiafoe has been in the news recently for a different reason as well. Ahead of the Australian Open, he was announced as the brand ambassador of the apparel brand Lululemon.

Frances rocks new tennis kit at the 2025 Australian Open

For his first match at the Australian Open, Frances Tiafoe arrived at the Rod Laver Arena in a vibrant “passionate pink” shirt-and-short combination. This outfit marked his exciting debut with Lululemon. Reportedly, Tiafoe has signed a three-year contract with Lululemon, becoming their first ATP ambassador. He spoke about the collaboration on January 9, stating, “Lululemon is changing the game for apparel by combining high performance and high style. I’m excited to work with a brand that allows me to express myself and look forward to being a part of the creative process both on and off the court.”

Tiafoe even took to Instagram to share his excitement for his partnership with Lululemon on his IG story on Friday, posting a sneak peek of his poster with the caption, “New beginnings 👀👀.” He will collaborate with the brand to test performance innovations and provide feedback on designs. Lululemon aims to expand its tennis presence with Tiafoe’s vibrant style.

Additionally, Lululemon’s Chief Brand and Product Activation Officer, Nikki Neuburger, is thrilled to have Tiafoe on board. She said, “Our ambassadors play an important role in our brand ecosystem. They not only inspire and influence guests around the world; they also directly inform and elevate our performance product through their unique insights and expertise.”

Now, as Tiafoe heads into the next round of the Australian Open, will he dominate the court once again while showcasing his new apparel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!