Frances Tiafoe has been heavily criticised by fans for how he reacted after winning at the Cincinnati Open.
The American is up and running at the Masters 1000 event after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets.
This was a big win for Tiafoe who has struggled with form this year while Musetti reached the Wimbledon semi-finals and won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
It was an impressive performance by the World number 27, but it has since been shrouded in controversy following his post-match celebration.
Why are fans unhappy with Frances Tiafoe’s post-match celebration at the Cincinnati Open?
Francis Tiafoe took just one hour and seven minutes to defeat Musetti to the delight of his home fans at the Cincinnati Open.
Musetti sent a forehand wide to seal a 6-3, 6-2 win for the American, who shook hands with his opponent at the net and proceeded to perform the “too small” celebration.
This is a celebration performed in basketball where a player will put their hand out and raise it slightly above the ground, to indicate the shortness in height.
It is a player’s reference to them getting the better of their opponent, but X users felt this was an inappropriate way for Tiafoe to celebrate his win.
@geminigr19 said: “Hitting the ‘too small’ celebration on Lorenzo Musetti, who just won an Olympic Medal, is disrespectful and embarrassing.
@GrizzlyVol added: “I like Foe but damn first calling his opponents clowns and then hitting the too small celebration unprovoked while his opponent’s back is turned is wild.”
@charris1211 then said: “OMG!! Win a couple of rounds and then act like this….. not classy at all,” and @lollomr76 posted: “Disrespectful Tiafoe, he just won a bronze Medal at the Olympics. Disrespectful.”
The posts carried on as @iWT2V simply said “Unprofessional behaviour,” while @LamentEros wrote: “I’m embarrassed for you Tiafoe.”
Who will Frances Tiafoe play next?
Tiafoe has advanced to the third round of the Cincinnati Open where he will face Jiri Lehecka.
This is the Czech player’s first tournament since he retired from his Madrid Open match against Felix Auger-Aliassime due to injury.
The 22-year-old is a dangerous player and he upset Daniil Medvedev to set up a meeting with Tiafoe.
This will be the second time that these two players will square off against one another.
Their first contest came at the 2023 Stuttgart Open, which Tiafoe claimed in straight sets. He will hope for a similar result in Cincinnati.
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