Frances Tiafoe – ‘I Was Losing To Clowns And Took The Game For Granted’

[TheGoldenEra1990’s]

When you see all the slams have been won by like just 5-7 guys for the past 20 years it’s sometimes not hard to see why. Look at guys like Zverev, Med, tiafoe, tstsipas kygrios etc. they’re too busy with the tabloid and making comments than focusing on their games

The best players usually just shut up, follow the PR format , and focus on just getting better on the court. These guys are in tour for years and NEVER get any better. They are damn near the same players they were years ago

 

[ghostofMecir]

Kind of sums up fans in general. I practiced with a former top 400 player and while in tennis terms that is a journeyman he was unbelievable when you put it against a good club player.

The reality is tennis is one of the few sports where the level between being 300th in the world struggling to make a living and top 50 isn’t a lot.

We are fans and it is how we react but thinking a top 100 player is a mug yet over 80 million people play tennis says a lot

Actually, when you watch them in practice, the difference between number one and number 100 isn’t even that much to be honest with you; the only real noticeable differences if you have someone who’s really massive hitter or someone who can hit right off the bounce really well, even though players who can’t take the ball early in matches can do so in practice.

 

[DjokoLand]

Actually, when you watch them in practice, the difference between number one and number 100 isn’t even that much to be honest with you; the only real noticeable differences if you have someone who’s really massive hitter or someone who can hit right off the balance really well, even though players who can’t take the ball and matches can do so in practice.

It reminds me of Brian Scalabrine in NBA he averaged only 4 points a game and people called him the worst player in NBA so he did own challenge one and one with top college players and schooled them all then said “I am closer to Lebron than you are to me”.

Top 100 players are elite and are close to top 5 but as you said it is just that weapon they are missing. Reminds me of Ferrer while he was mostly top 4 or 5 he had everything to deal with most players but against the big 3 he just lacked the firepower and sometimes it made for pointless SF’s as he would be good to get there then pasted by big 3

 

[fed1]

When you see all the slams have been won by like just 5-7 guys for the past 20 years it’s sometimes now hard to see why. Look at guys like Zverev, Med, tiafoe, tstsipas kygrios etc. they’re too busy with the tabloid and making comments than focusing on their games

The best players usually just shut up, follow the PR format , and focus on just getting better on the court. These guys are in tour for years and NEVER get any better. They are damn near the same players they were years ago

Hold on. Let’s not put Zverev and Medvedev on that list!! Those guys are professionals and have made themselves better.

 

[Tano]

When you see all the slams have been won by like just 5-7 guys for the past 20 years it’s sometimes now hard to see why. Look at guys like Zverev, Med, tiafoe, tstsipas kygrios etc. they’re too busy with the tabloid and making comments than focusing on their games

The best players usually just shut up, follow the PR format , and focus on just getting better on the court. These guys are in tour for years and NEVER get any better. They are damn near the same players they were years ago

Male tennis players born in the 90s are a real disappointment.

 

[ghostofMecir]

It reminds me of Brian Scalabrine in NBA he averaged only 4 points a game and people called him the worst player in NBA so he did own challenge one and one with top college players and schooled them all then said “I am closer to Lebron than you are to me”.

Top 100 players are elite and are close to top 5 but as you said it is just that weapon they are missing. Reminds me of Ferrer while he was mostly top 4 or 5 he had everything to deal with most players but against the big 3 he just lacked the firepower and sometimes it made for pointless SF’s as he would be good to get there then pasted by big 3

Ferrer was an ultimate gatekeeper— one of the best returns ever relative to size and reach, great defender, great physical fitness, great mover, a plus forehand, a solid, reliable rally backhand, and an improved serve towards the end of his career. if you were a talented young player, but did not possess consistency within a match, it was very difficult for you to defeat David.

 

[Shangri La]

‘I Was Losing To Clowns And Took The Game For Granted’

Said Alcaraz during post match interview.

 

[Better_Call_Raul]

Did not see the match but the scoreline is very telling. Tiafoe was a tiebreak away from winning the match. But got clobbered in the fourth set tiebreak.
Losing a tiebreak is disappointing but a champion resets after losing a tiebreak and focuses on the fifth set.

Instead, Tiafoe proceeded to get clobbered in the fifth set. Not even close. Never recovered from losing the tiebreak. Mentally weak.

Alcaraz raises his level for the fifth while Tiafoe folds under the pressure. Champions vs perennial also-rans.

 

[SonnyT]

Carlos is a different animal in the 5th set. He's, like, 12-1 on 5-setters and his only loss came against Berrettini in a tiebreak. And we thought Novak was exceptional in 5-setters with a 77% winning rate.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Carlos is a different animal in the 5th set. He's, like, 12-1 on 5-setters and his only loss came against Berrettini in a tiebreak. And we thought Novak was exceptional in 5-setters with a 77% winning rate.

Novak's sample size is considerably bigger & also includes victories over Rafa & Roger.
Additionally, Alcaraz is winning matches in 5 sets which he should've had closed out way earlier.

 

[messiahrobins]

Cheerio Frances. Thank you Carlitos.

 

[Bhagi Katbamna]

Tiafoe has the weapons to win. He doesn't lack firepower as far as I can see. His problem is shot selection at critical times.

 

[sherpa]

Having weapons is only one part of winning a tennis match and I don't think Tiafoe has worked that out.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

And now he lost to another one.

 

[MaluTapiMau]

Lost to the biggest clown. He handed it to him

 

[RaulRamirez]

Tiafoe 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."

I guess you can take Tiafoe out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto out of Tiafoe ...

I thought Tiafoe's comment was inappropriate, but your reply just now was disgusting.

 

[a10best]

That is totally racist

also ignorant and a lack of education.

 

[a10best]

To his credit the last times Francis played Carlos it went 5 sets, far better than Djokovic today. If Americans starts beating Djokovic then he may consider retiring.
Tiafoe's confidence will remain.

 

[jm1980]

Since making the comment, Tiafoe has managed to go 4-1 against Top 20 players, with the only loss being against Alcaraz in 5 sets

Now in the biggest final of his career in Cincy after saving MPs against Rune

 

[Gemini]

Since making the comment, Tiafoe has managed to go 4-1 against Top 20 players, with the only loss being against Alcaraz in 5 sets

Now in the biggest final of his career in Cincy after saving MPs against Rune

His primary issue over the last couple of years is his lack of being able to focus for long, long stretches of time. Maybe he's starting to realize that there's a balance between enjoying and living in the limelight and having to put in the work every day. I still take issue with him calling other competitors "clowns".

 

[MichaelNadal]

He was a couple netcords away from losing to another "clown"

 

[bad1990]

His primary issue over the last couple of years is his lack of being able to focus for long, long stretches of time. Maybe he's starting to realize that there's a balance between enjoying and living in the limelight and having to put in the work every day. I still take issue with him calling other competitors "clowns".

He didn't lie about the clown part. A lot of players on tour now are clowns and/or big ass babies. Low key I considered him to a be a part of the clown group as well but lately he has turned it around and is taking his tennis more serious. I think the success of the fellow American players has basically given him the push to step his game up and not be left behind.

 

[Shaolin]

Since making the comment, Tiafoe has managed to go 4-1 against Top 20 players, with the only loss being against Alcaraz in 5 sets

Now in the biggest final of his career in Cincy after saving MPs against Rune

Gotta hand it to him, he’s stepped it up. Really had to after that comment.

 

[Gemini]

He didn't lie about the clown part. A lot of players on tour now are clowns and/or big ass babies. Low key I considered him to a be a part of the clown group as well but lately he has turned it around and is taking his tennis more serious. I think the success of the fellow American players has basically given him the push to step his game up and not be left behind.

That's a subjective opinion. Still disrespectful...and frankly embarrassing to him if he's losing to these supposed "clowns". If anything, it's his past performance before this most recent favorable run that would make him the "clown".

 

[UnderArmServeOP]

He did just put his money where his mouth is. Took out a clown yesterday.

 

[Gemini]

He did just put his money where his mouth is. Took out a clown yesterday.

Serious question. What makes Rune a clown? Please offer up a definition.

 

[UnderArmServeOP]

Serious question. What makes Rune a clown? Please offer up a definition.

Clown (/kloun/)
a foolish or incompetent person.

 

[am1899]

Serious question. What makes Rune a clown? Please offer up a definition.

For starters his results are all over the place, team has been a revolving door, and his mother is shall we say “interesting” (and not in a good way).

 

[Gemini]

Clown (/kloun/)
a foolish or incompetent person.

Not bothering to watch the video but I'm confident that's not what Tiafoe means by clown. He's upset that he's been losing to be people he feels are beneath him in skill. He considers those people "clowns". Rune is definitely not beneath him in skill.

 

[Gemini]

For starters his results are all over the place, team has been a revolving door, and his mother is shall we say “interesting” (and not in a good way).

That does not make him a clown in the context of how a Tiafoe meant it. And when hasn't there been a player on tour in the last couple of decades with results all over the place, a revolving door of coaches, and an "unusual" parent?

 

[Gemini]

<double post>

 

[am1899]

That does not make him a clown in the context of how a Tiafoe meant it. And when hasn't there been a player on tour in the last couple of decades with results all over the place, a revolving door of coaches, and an "unusual" parent?

Serious question. How do you know the context of what Tiafoe meant by, “clowns?”

 

[Gemini]

Serious question. How do you know the context of what Tiafoe meant by, “clowns?"

The very nature and context of this thread along with the shared article (at the beginning of this thread) explains what he means by clowns. He could have used the word "chump" and it would have been just as bad..maybe worse. His assessment of "clown" is someone he feels he shouldn't be losing to. And yet..if you're losing to someone (when you shouldn't be), you have to think that maybe you might just be the clown.

 

[I Am Finnish]

He is the biggest clown

 

[Gemini]

He is the biggest clown

Hopefully, he's learning..and that he's for real. I'd love to see him play well at the Open.

 

[am1899]

The very nature and context of this thread along with the shared article (at the beginning of this thread) explains what he means by clowns. He could have used the word "chump" and it would have been just as bad..maybe worse. His assessment of "clown" is someone he feels he shouldn't be losing to. And yet..if you're losing to someone (when you shouldn't be), you have to think that maybe you might just be the clown.

For the record, I had a very similar reaction when he said this…something like, he may have been losing to clowns in his eyes, but he himself is the biggest clown for describing his peers publicly that way.

As for Rune, yes…I’ll concede he is probably not the type of player Foe was complaining about losing to. That said, it doesn’t mean Rune doesn’t have some work to do to get things back on track.

Regardless, I enjoy watching both of them play…and I truly hope both of them continue to trend in a positive direction.

 

[Holmes]

Since when did Tiafoe become a 'Wimbledon Star'??

Since when did he become a Talktennis star?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Since when did he become a Talktennis star?

Never was

 

[Mainad]

Does he think he just lost to another clown??

 

[KingCarlitos]

Tiafoe let his ego inflate to embarrassing proportions for a player with his results after he beat an injury-riddled, distracted Rafa at the USO 2 years ago. He has done jack and squat since then.

Like a true American, They think they’re playing basketball.

 

[Holmes]

Does he think he just lost to another clown??

He is a clown. A slamless peak #10 flexing towards other professionals is a circus act.

 

[Pmasterfunk]

I thought Tiafoe's comment was inappropriate, but your reply just now was disgusting.

Not the first time he's made these types of comments about Tiafoe

 

[Midaso240]

I will admit I find myself rooting against this guy since those comments when I didn't before. He's not that good to be able to talk about fellow players that way. Probably only the top 5 could say that and make a little sense, but it would be out of line for them to say that as well.

 

[vex]

Tiafoe isn’t good enough to be talking down to ANY professional tennis players much less the guys he’s referring to. You can’t talk trash when ur a nothing burger yourself.

 

[Shaolin]

Tiafoe isn’t good enough to be talking down to ANY professional tennis players much less the guys he’s referring to. You can’t talk trash when ur a nothing burger yourself.

Well he's made the USO SF. Is he allowed to talk trash now?

 

[Hitman]

Tiafoe saying it's the biggest match in Fritz career....he's putting all the pressure on his compatriot.

 

[ghostofMecir]

What’s always interesting about this sport is how someone can find some consistent form and mental stability to reach the limits of their ability within a small stretch of time. This is the best non-ATGs can hope for.

Tiafoe had shown absolutely nothing as far as form and results go all season to suggest that he would have had Alcaraz on the ropes at Wimby, then do well in Washington and Cincy and now at the USO.

He was 7-7 during the Jan-Apr hardcourt season. Out of these 7 losses, 5 had him at sub .75 dominance ratio and two were sub .50, i.e., he got beaten badly. He had one good tournament in Houston, then lost early in Europe in all events, clay or grass, then found some consistent form out of nowhere after losing the first two sets to Arnaldi at Wimbledon. He took a few more beatings back in North America from Tabilo and Nishioka, both of whom made Tiafoe look like a challenger,

Now in Cincy and at the USO, Tiafoe is winning rallies that he had lost all year, is dominant on second serve the way only top players are, is returning well both aggressively AND putting good serves back in play with depth like when Popyrin served for the second set and had set points.

I‘my pretty sure he loses to Fritz, but this has been a great run for him.

 

[a10best]

No more clowns losses and his 2nd USO semi. Tiafoe has overachieved and truly has belief which is actually enough to win the USO.
If he gets to the finals, Sinner may wilt from the intense fan pressure while Med will thrive and probably win his 2nd USO.

 

[Aabye5]

What’s always interesting about this sport is how someone can find some consistent form and mental stability to reach the limits of their ability within a small stretch of time. This is the best non-ATGs can hope for.

Tiafoe had shown absolutely nothing as far as form and results go all season to suggest that he would have had Alcaraz on the ropes at Wimby, then do well in Washington and Cincy and now at the USO.

He was 7-7 during the Jan-Apr hardcourt season. Out of these 7 losses, 5 had him at sub .75 dominance ratio and two were sub .50, i.e., he got beaten badly. He had one good tournament in Houston, then lost early in Europe in all events, clay or grass, then found some consistent form out of nowhere after losing the first two sets to Arnaldi at Wimbledon. He took a few more beatings back in North America from Tabilo and Nishioka, both of whom made Tiafoe look like a challenger,

Now in Cincy and at the USO, Tiafoe is winning rallies that he had lost all year, is dominant on second serve the way only top players are, is returning well both aggressively AND putting good serves back in play with depth like when Popyrin served for the second set and had set points.

I‘my pretty sure he loses to Fritz, but this has been a great run for him.

But that's the story of Tiafoe's career. He has had long periods with early losses and then managed to push the top players in some exciting matches. His match at Wimbledon against Alcaraz is just more of what we saw when they played at the US Open two years ago.

 

[vex]

Well he's made the USO SF. Is he allowed to talk trash now?

I mean, this is progress!