World no. 18 Frances Tiafoe has been fined $120,000 by the ATP Fines Committed! Tiafoe suffered a tight 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 defeat to Roman Safiullin at the Shanghai Masters, losing his temper in the closing stages and blasting the chair umpire at the net with insults. The American’s violent words could not disappear under the surface.
The ATP fined him $60,000 for ‘verbal abuse’ and an additional $60,000 for ‘aggravated behavior’ toward the chair umpire. Despite one of the largest fines in ATP history, the US Open semi-finalist avoided suspension. Ultimately, the American should be happy with this fine, as he could have been suspended between three weeks and a year!
Frances Tiafoe, Shanghai 2024© Stream screenshot
How did it all happen?
Frances and Roman battled for over three hours, staying neck and neck at the penultimate Masters 1000 event of the season. It came down to the wire, with Frances serving at 5-5 in the deciding tie break. He took a long break between two serves and suffered a point penalty, earning the first warning previously in the match.
Frances Tiafoe, Shanghai 2024© Stream screenshot
Thus, Safiullin moved 6-5 in front and converted a match point with an ace, moving through and arranging a duel against Novak Djokovic. Furious, Tiafoe shook hands with his rival at the net before throwing insults at the chair umpire, leaving the court in anger.
Aware of his mistake, Frances publicly apologized for his behavior and acts.
“I sincerely apologize for the way I acted tonight. It’s not my way and it’s not the way I want to treat people. I let my frustration get the better of me.”
Vous vous rappelez de cette vidéo lors du tournoi de Shanghai ? 🔙
Frances Tiafoe vient d’être sanctionné d’une amende de 120 000$ selon Eurosport. 🇺🇸💵
Sanction logique ? pic.twitter.com/DHVHMe8KMS
— Avantage Tennis 🎾 (@AvantageTennis_) November 13, 2024
The American claimed more points than his opponent, but not the crucial ones. Bopth players grabbed three breaks and stayed neck and neck from start to finish. Frances served well in the opener, providing six comfortable holds and earning a late break for 7-5.
Safiullin erased an early deficit in the second set and defended three break points in the ninth game while facing the elimination. The Russian clinched a break in the 12th game, stealing the set and forcing a decider. Roman grabbed a break in the fourth game and forged a 5-2 advantage.
Unwilling to surrender, Tiafoe broke back at 15 in the ninth game, surviving and adding more drama. The American closed the 12th game after a deuce, introducing a tie break. Roman led 5-3 before Frances climbed back to 5-5. The chair umpire gave him a point penalty before the Russian sealed the deal with an ace at 6-5.