Frances Tiafoe, posing with pro-Putin supporters Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals, has enraged fans.

By | Niranjan Bhargav 24 Nov, 2023

Frances Tiafoe infuriated tennis fans by posing with Alexander Ovechkin, the leader of the Washington Capitals NHL club. Ovechkin’s backing of Russian President Vladimir Putin sparked the dispute.

Tiafoe has been making the most of his off-season by participating in various sports. The American paid a visit to his hometown’s hockey team, the Washington Capitals, after recently witnessing an NBA game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans.

He was the World No. 16 on the ice with the Capitals and demonstrated his hockey and ice tennis talents. Later, in the locker room, he gave the team’s captain, Alex Ovechkin, an autographed tennis racquet in exchange for a signed hockey stick and jersey.

Tennis fans were outraged to see Frances Tiafoe standing beside the Russian, given Ovechkin’s vocal support for Vladimir Putin. Ovechkin launched the ‘PutinTeam’ social media campaign in 2017 to rally support for Putin’s 2018 Russian presidential campaign.

Furthermore, Ovechkin is said to have personal contact with Putin, possessing the Russian President’s unique phone number and getting a present from him during his wedding in 2016.

One fan expressed their dissatisfaction with the American, claiming they had lost all respect for him.

“I respected you both on and off the court.” “Not any longer,” the admirer added.

@FTiafoe I had a lot of respect for you on and off the court. Not anymore.
— Stas Olenchenko ?? (@TheStanislawski) November 22, 2023

Other supporters accused the Americans of ignoring Ovechkin’s political ideals in order to acquire more fame and attention.

“Everything for just a little more fame, huh?” a fan wrote.

Everything for just little more fame huh? ? https://t.co/ZXaFl0zdrc
— Zuza | ? (@ZuzaZuzanna21) November 22, 2023

“Sometimes u just need to think twice before choosing to cloutchase,” another fan chimed in.

Sometimes u just need to think twice before choosing to cloutchase… https://t.co/0KUgojrSb8
— K (@roses_forehand) November 22, 2023

A glance at Frances Tiafoe’s Grand Slam performance this season.

Frances Tiafoe entered the 2023 Australian Open in top form, having played a key part in the United States United Cup triumph. The American began his career with a four-set victory over Daniel Altmaier.

He then moved to the third round with a decisive victory against Shang Juncheng. He was unable to move further in the Major, however, as he was defeated in four sets by Karen Khachanov.

This season, the 25-year-old posted his greatest result of his career at the French Open. He overcame Filip Kajinovic and Aslan Karatsev on his way to the third round of the Paris Masters, where Alexander Zverev defeated him.

Frances Tiafoe’s Wimbledon Championships journey was similarly cut short in the third round when Grigor Dimitrov defeated her in straight sets. In the previous stages of SW19, the Americans faced Yibing Wu and Dominic Stricker.

This season, the 25-year-old had the best success in his home Slam, the US Open. He won both of his first two matches in straight sets against Learner Tien and Sebastian Ofner.

By defeating Adrian Mannarino and Rinky Hijikata, the World No. 16 set up an all-American quarterfinal against Ben Shelton. Shelton overcame his countryman in four sets to get to his first Grand Slam semifinal.

Frances Tiafoe concluded the 2023 season with 40 wins and 21 defeats, having won two championships.

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