The Davis Cup is the only major tournament where tennis players have to think about the country they represent. But American Francis Tiafoe apparently forgot about this and threw a tantrum in the most important match of the tournament.

“I could have responded better”

The US tennis team has not won the Davis Cup in over 15 years. This year, the American team has assembled a very strong lineup in hopes of breaking the losing streak. The management even managed to lure Francis Tiafoe, who ranks 11th in the ATP rankings, to the tournament.

But the top American tennis player did not come to the Cup in the best condition. He failed miserably in the first match of the group stage of the final stage, losing to the 77th racket of the world from Croatia, Borna Gojo, in two sets – 4:6, 6:7. But the American team was lucky. Successes in two other meetings offset this loss and allowed us to finish the first day with a final victory over the Croats.

Tiafoe’s defeat did not alarm the management of the American team at all. Francis was nominated for the second match against the Netherlands, where his opponent was Tallon Griekspoor. The match again did not go well for the American. The tennis players could not determine the winner for more than two hours, and in the third game it came to a tiebreaker, which Tiafoe would probably prefer to forget.

With the score 5:2, Grickspoor served. He hit the line exactly, but the linesman called the miss. The Netherlands called for a replay, and the out-call system favored Tallon. The Dutchman received four match points, and the American was on the verge of losing.

And then Tiafoe lost his nerve. He approached the judge and began to demand a replay of the rally. Francis argued that the referee’s team knocked him down and he could not return the ball properly. Although the replay shows that the American simply did not have time to properly receive the serve.

Arguments with the judge and supervisor led nowhere. In a rage, Tiafoe broke his racket on the court and quarreled with his opponents, for which he received one penalty point. This happened because the American had previously been reprimanded in this meeting. Thus, the judge’s sanction automatically led to Tiafoe’s defeat.

Francis Tiafoe / Photo: © SOPA Images / Contributor / LightRocket / Gettyimages.ru

“Of course, I could have reacted better, but my emotions are running high, I’m playing for my country and I really want to win. I broke my racket, forgetting that I had already committed a foul earlier in the match. “I gave my all and it wasn’t easy for me,” Tiafoe tried to justify himself.

“Shame on this player!”

To the disappointment of American fans, the tennis players were unable to save the overall victory, losing to the Netherlands – 1-2. Tiafoe’s scandalous act and the team’s overall defeat led to a wave of negative comments about the player.

— You play for the USA. Respect the flag or let other players compete. Save your clown things for singles matches,” Fkskskkgkdis said indignantly.

“Boy, you are too unstable and will never win a Grand Slam if you can’t play well throughout the match,” said b.colemannnn.

“Untalented guy,” wrote egbonsola.

– Keep in mind that bad behavior on the court will affect your life. You’re a guy who came from below, you should be more serious. This behavior costs your family food,” Roberttyguerra reproached the player.

– Worst top 10 in tennis history. How can you play so poorly, who pays you for losing? – asks jessyroy95.

— Do us a favor and play for your historical homeland. Aren’t you ashamed to play for the USA like that? — proposes to refuse to perform for the USA _96felix.

– Shame on this player! “Excellent skills, but very low IQ,” Tiafoe kjuaquine assessed the capabilities.

“Shame on the USA,” luka_10.11 briefly described the American’s action.

The American team has one more match ahead. The opponents will be tennis players from Finland. In case of defeat, the Americans may end their performance at the Davis Cup.