US tennis star pleads for return of racket stolen by fan at French Open

A triumphant Frances Tiafoe found his French Open celebrations cut short by an unexpected theft, as his racket vanished during an embrace with fans following a grueling second-round victory.

The American tennis star had just completed an epic four-hour and 43-minute battle, defeating Hubert Hurkacz 6-7 (5) 7-6 (5) 6-4 6-7 (1) 6-4, when the bizarre incident occurred.

After securing his hard-won match on Court 14, Tiafoe approached a section of supporters courtside to share the moment. While being hugged by fans, his racket, which he was holding, disappeared from his hand.

Taking to Instagram shortly after, Tiafoe appealed for its return, writing: “Unreal atmosphere on court 14 today. But I must say to the fan who took my racket at the end while I was celebrating with y’all. Can I please have it back. I’ll bless you with two tickets for my next match.”

Speaking at his subsequent press conference, Tiafoe expressed optimism that his plea had worked.

“My guy’s going to go get it,” he stated. “I think I’m going to get it. In the States, I’m not getting the racket, but here, I feel like in Europe, they love tennis so much, I think I’m going to get it.”

Recounting the chaotic moment, the 28-year-old explained: “I hugged him with my racket in my hand, and then I was, like, my arm is getting stuck. But my mind’s going a thousand miles an hour, so at the time I’m trying to chill out, give my respects to my opponent, give my respects to the ref.

“And then you’re like, ‘Wait, hold on, what’s was going on?’ They were locking me in. I thought I was going to fall into the crowd at one point. But it was fun, it was a cool moment. But I actually need that racket.”

The racket theft wasn’t Tiafoe’s only memorable fan interaction of the day. He also revealed that during his match, one enthusiastic supporter informed him of Jannik Sinner’s loss.

“Especially just being black and having black tennis fans in the match where they just don’t know what’s going on, (one guy was shouting), ‘Sinner is out and Big Foe is in’,”

Tiafoe added. “I’m dying laughing. I was like, ‘This got to be an African dude’. I’m trying to keep it together. He said it repeatedly, for three minutes straight. It was insane. That’s how I found out.”