‘To Call It a Sport, It’s Crazy’- Frances Tiafoe Minces No Words as He Rubbishes Tennis’ Rapidly Growing Racket Counterpart at US Open

Pickleball has been gaining rapid attention in the US, both positive and negative. The hype and marketing that the viral racket sport is garnering caught the tennis world’s attention. As Jack Sock announced that he was hanging his tennis racket to pick up Pickleball, Twitter went into a frenzy and slammed the former Top-10 for switching careers. Now, Frances Tiafoe has also expressed his view on the sport and commented on the hype surrounding it.

Tennis is a relatively more challenging sport to play than Pickleball. So, sports professionals and fans find themselves mocking Pickleball as a ‘lesser’ sport in comparisons of the two. However, Tiafoe expressed a more realistic view of the game, even though he picked his side.

Frances Tiafoe admits that Pickleball frenzy is ‘crazy’

Big Foe won his first round at the US Open against compatriot Learner Tien. After his win, the Top-10 ATP seed was asked what he thought about the recently popularized game of Pickleball. The reporter also mentioned that Thanasi Kokkinakis expressed that he can’t stand Pickleball in his post-match conference. In response, Tiafoe discussed his personal opinions of the game where he drew a line between leisure and sport.

The American considers Pickleball as a game for fun since it is easy to play. Tiafoe said, “But the actual play, I think, I mean, I don’t think it’s a very difficult sport or great sport at all. If we’re casually playing and having drinks and whatever, having fun, but to call it a sport, sport, it’s crazy to me.”

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But the 10th seed also shed light on what matters about the sport – why it has struck a chord with people. He said, “It is what it is. To each their own. People are enjoying it. That’s ultimately what matters, you want to enjoy it and pick up something you like. So hats off to all those guys.” The 25-year-old also expressed his view on the monetary perspective of Pickleball and why the game is hyped up.

Big Foe explains the more considerable aspect of Pickleball

While Tiafoe admitted that Pickleball cannot be called a professional sport, he revealed how profitable the game is. The Stuttgart Open winner stated that he doesn’t understand why such a leisurely sport is publicized, but he gets it from a business point of view. The investments have increased, and Big Foe says it’s great for the investors as Pickleball mints more money.

So, the US Open semi-finalist agreed that it made sense for business people to invest in the game. However, he refused to call it a sport, though it has its claws deep in the US. In a nutshell, Pickleball is a profitable investment despite receiving mixed reactions. Big Foe understood that and expressed both sides of the hot debate.

Tiafoe, carrying the home country’s hope, will play his next match against Austrian Sebastian Ofner on the 30th of August.

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