“That is not who I am” – Tiafoe apologises for abusive tirade against official in Shanghai

American Frances Tiafoe uncharacteristically lashed out at the chair official during his third-round loss to Russian Roman Safiullin at Shanghai Masters on Tuesday but seems to have realised his mistake.

It all began in the intense deciding-set tiebreak when Ecuadorian chair umpire Jimmy Pinoargote penalised Tiafoe for violating the serve clock a second time in the match. The American used more time than the allowed 25 seconds and was stripped of his first serve at a crucial stage with the tiebreak score at 5-5.

He protested the decision angrily arguing he tossed the ball up and was not liable to a penalty.

“No, no, no no, no! I tossed the ball! I tossed the ball! I was at the line, I tossed the ball,” he shouted but the umpire didn’t budge. “Dude that’s the rule, the ball goes up, how am I not ready to serve?”

Tiafoe lost the following rally and one more to concede a 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (5) defeat to Safiullin and crash out of Shanghai Masters.

What followed after the outcome was more disturbing as Tiafoe, instead of greeting Pinoargote, dropped F-bombs on the official and walked to his chair, raging with anger.

Hours later, Tiafoe took to Instagram and offered an apology to the umpire and everybody involved with the Shanghai event for the verbal abuse.

I really apologize for the way I acted tonight. That is not who I am and not how I ever want to treat people.”

Frances Tiafoe

“I let my frustration in the heat of the moment get the best of me,” the world No 17 wrote. “And I’m extremely disappointed with how I handled the situation. That’s not acceptable behavior and I want to apologize to the umpire, the tournament, and the fans. I’ll be better for y’all.”

Tiafoe, who advanced to the third round in Shanghai on the back of a bye in the first and win against local Zhou Yi (6-2, 6-4) in the second, is likely to attract a fine for his act.

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